acupuncture

[ noun ak-yoo-puhngk-cher; verb ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk- ]

noun
  1. a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.

verb (used with object),ac·u·punc·tured, ac·u·punc·tur·ing.
  1. to perform acupuncture on.

Origin of acupuncture

1
1675–85; <Latin acū with a needle (ablative of acus needle) or acu- (as combining form of acus) + puncture

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British Dictionary definitions for acupuncture

acupuncture

/ (ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə) /


noun
  1. the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world: Also called: stylostixis

Origin of acupuncture

1
C17: from Latin acus needle + puncture

Derived forms of acupuncture

  • acupunctural, adjective
  • acupuncturist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for acupuncture

acupuncture

[ ăkyu-pŭngk′chər ]


  1. The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for acupuncture

acupuncture

[ (ak-yuh-pungk-chuhr) ]


A technique, which originated in China, for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.