chiropractic

noun chi·ro·prac·tic \ˈkī-rə-ˌprak-tik, ˌkī-rə-ˈ\

: a method of treating people who are sick or in pain by pushing and moving bones in the spine and joints

Full Definition of CHIROPRACTIC

: a system of therapy which holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body structures (as the spinal column) <holds a current license to practice chiropractic in this state>

— chiropractic adjective

— chi·ro·prac·tor \-tər\ noun

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Origin of CHIROPRACTIC

chir- + Greek praktikos practical, operative — more at practical

First Known Use: 1898

Rhymes with CHIROPRACTIC

geotactic, hypotactic, isotactic, malolactic, parallactic, paratactic, phonotactic, phototactic, phyllotactic, prophylactic

Medical Dictionary

chiropractic

noun chi·ro·prac·tic \ˈkī-rə-ˌprak-tik\

Medical Definition of CHIROPRACTIC

: a system of therapy which holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body structures (as the spinal column)

—chiropractic adjective

—chi·ro·prac·tor \-tər\ noun