pharmakos

noun

phar·​ma·​kos
ˈfärməˌkäs
plural pharmakoi
-ˌkȯi
: a person often already condemned to death sacrificed in ancient Greece as a means of purification or atonement for a city or community

Word History

Etymology

Greek, probably irregular from pharmakon medicine, charm + -ikos -ic

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Dictionary Entries Near pharmakos

pharmacy

pharmakos

PharmD

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Cite this Entry

“Pharmakos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmakos. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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