remedy

[ rem-i-dee ]

noun

, plural rem·e·dies.

1. something that cures or relieves a disease or bodily disorder; a healing medicine, application, or treatment.

   Synonyms: medication, medicament, specific, restorative, cure

2. something that corrects or removes an evil of any kind.

   Synonyms: antidote, corrective

3. Law. legal redress; the legal means of enforcing a right or redressing a wrong.
4. Coining. a certain allowance at the mint for deviation from the standard weight and fineness of coins; tolerance.

verb (used with object)

, rem·e·died, rem·e·dy·ing.

1. to cure, relieve, or heal.

   Antonyms: worsen

2. to restore to the natural or proper condition; put right:

   to remedy a matter.

   Synonyms: renew, redress, correct, repair

3. to counteract or remove:

   to remedy an evil.

remedy

/ rɪˈmiːdɪəbəl; ˈrɛmɪdɪ /

noun

1. usually foll byfor or against any drug or agent that cures a disease or controls its symptoms
2. usually foll byfor or against anything that serves to put a fault to rights, cure defects, improve conditions, etc

   a remedy for industrial disputes

3. the legally permitted variation from the standard weight or quality of coins; tolerance

verb

1. to relieve or cure (a disease, illness, etc) by or as if by a remedy
2. to put to rights (a fault, error, etc); correct

Derived Forms

• reˈmediably, adverb
• remediable, adjective
• ˈremediless, adjective

Other Words From

• non·reme·dy noun plural nonremedies
• un·reme·died adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remedy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; (for the noun) Middle English remedie, from Anglo-French, from Latin remedium, from re- re- + med(ērī) “to heal” ( medical ) + -ium -ium; (for the verb) late Middle English remedien, from Middle French remedier, from Latin remediāre, derivative of remedium

Word History and Origins

Origin of remedy¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman remedie , from Latin remedium a cure, from remedērī to heal again, from re- + medērī to heal; see medical

Synonym Study

See cure.

Example Sentences

And one of those remedies, they agree, is to play more physically.

From Los Angeles Times

She and the cabinet have spent this early period in power arguing the inheritance they received from the previous Conservative government was gruesome, that the remedy requires hard and unpopular choices.

From BBC

In the first part of the last century, the only remedy for decay was to pull the tooth.

From Los Angeles Times

As a remedy, the town council has asked Yukon provincial officials if they could take an alternative oath.

From BBC

The landmark decision opened the door to the current showdown over potential remedies that could reshape the tech giant’s multibillion-dollar business.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antidote
• countermeasure
• cure-all
• drug
• fix
• medicine
• panacea
• pill
• quick fix
• redress
• relief
• therapy
• treatment