acupuncture
UK: ˈæk.jʊ.pʌŋk.tʃə | US: ˈæk.jə.pʌŋk.tʃɚ
n. a medical procedure involving the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or treat illness.
vt. to treat a condition or relieve pain using this method.
acupuncture = acu<needle> + punct<prick> + ure<noun suffix>
- acu (from Latin acus, meaning "needle")
- punct (from Latin punctum, meaning "prick" or "point")
- ure (a noun-forming suffix indicating action or result)
Etymology Origin:
The term "acupuncture" originates from 17th-century Latin acus (needle) + punctura (pricking), reflecting the technique's core action: inserting needles into precise points. The word entered English via French, preserving its Latin roots while adapting to medical terminology. Its logical construction—combining "needle" and "prick"—directly mirrors the procedure's physical method.
Acupuncture is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.
She underwent acupuncture to alleviate chronic back pain.
The practitioner carefully sterilized the needles before beginning the acupuncture session.
Studies suggest acupuncture may stimulate natural painkillers in the body.
He credits acupuncture for improving his sleep quality.