a medication or treatment regime that has no physiological effect and is prescribed for the patient's psychological benefit
a substance that has no effects and which is used as a control against another substance, esp a drug, which is known to have or is being tested for a specific effect
something that has a soothing or calming effect, esp something said or done only to please another person
the Roman Catholic vespers for the dead
[Latin placebo I shall please, from placēre to please]