placebo Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug
  2. noun (Roman Catholic Church) vespers of the office for the dead

WordNet

Pla*ce"bo noun
Etymology
L., I shall please, fut. of placere to please.
Definitions
  1. (R. C. Ch.) The first antiphon of the vespers for the dead.
  2. (Med.) A prescription intended to humor or satisfy. Chaucer. placebo effect

Webster 1913