Bloodletting: meaning, definitions and examples

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bloodletting

 

[ ˈblʌdˌlɛtɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical practice

Bloodletting is a historical medical practice that involves withdrawing blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness. It was based on the belief that many diseases were caused by an imbalance of bodily humors.

Synonyms

blood drawing, phlebotomy, venesection.

Examples of usage

  • In ancient times, bloodletting was a common treatment for fevers.
  • The practice of bloodletting has been largely abandoned in modern medicine.
  • Some practitioners believed bloodletting could balance the body's humors.
Context #2 | Noun

political context

In a political context, bloodletting refers to the shedding of blood, often used metaphorically to describe violent conflict or turmoil, such as civil wars or revolutions.

Synonyms

massacre, slaughter, violence.

Examples of usage

  • The country experienced a period of bloodletting during the civil war.
  • Political bloodletting has become a disturbing trend in recent years.
  • The regime's policies led to widespread bloodletting among dissenters.

Translations

Translations of the word "bloodletting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sangria

🇮🇳 खून बहाने की प्रक्रिया

🇩🇪 Aderlass

🇮🇩 pengeluaran darah

🇺🇦 кровопускання

🇵🇱 upuszczanie krwi

🇯🇵 瀉血

🇫🇷 saignée

🇪🇸 sangrado

🇹🇷 kan aldırma

🇰🇷 피를 빼기

🇸🇦 فصادة

🇨🇿 pouštění krve

🇸🇰 púšťanie krvi

🇨🇳 放血

🇸🇮 puščanje krvi

🇮🇸 blóðtaka

🇰🇿 қан алдыру

🇬🇪 სისხლის ჭარბი

🇦🇿 qan alma

🇲🇽 sangrado

Etymology

The term 'bloodletting' originates from the early practices of medicine dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks. The concept of balancing bodily humors was central to ancient medical theories, particularly in the works of Hippocrates and Galen. Bloodletting was seen as a means to restore balance and remove excess blood, believed to be the source of illness. In medieval Europe, bloodletting became a common therapy among physicians and barbers alike, with leeches and lancets often used to draw blood. The practice continued well into the 19th century until it was discredited due to a lack of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy and the recognition of its potential dangers, such as excessive blood loss. Today, while modern medical procedures like phlebotomy are used to draw blood for donation or testing, the historical practice of bloodletting is largely regarded as a relic of medical history.