[In sense 1, ad. mod.L. therapeutic-us, a. Gr. θεραπευτικός, f. θεραπευτής, agent-n. from θεραπεύ-ειν to minister to, treat medically, f. θέραψ, θεραπ- attendant, minister. In sense 2, from the name of the Therapeutæ.]
1. Of or pertaining to the healing of disease.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. xiii. 230. Therapeutick or curative Physick, we term that, which … taketh away diseases actually affecting.
1678. Phillips (ed. 4), s.v., The Therapeutick part of Medicine, is that which treats of the healing or curing of diseases.
1800. Med. Jrnl., III. 577. Here the fundamental therapeutic principles are proposed.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem. (1862), III. 196. It has long been used as a therapeutic agent.
2. Of or pertaining to the Therapeutæ.
1681. S. Parker, Demonstr. Law Nat., II. xviii. 248. Philo affirms that this Therapeutick Sect prayed onely twice a day.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Therapeutæ, Josephus … does not say one word of the Therapeutæ, or the therapeutic life.
1875. Expositor, 429. Members of the Essene or Therapeutic communities.
