What does "posology" mean?
The study of the dosages of drugs, especially the determination of appropriate dosages.
Posology
/pəʊˈsɒ.lə.d͡ʒi/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The study of the dosages of drugs, especially the determination of appropriate dosages.
- Grammar: posology is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: pharmacology, pharmacy.
- Usage evidence: The difficulty here alluded to occurs in the doses of medicine exhibited by the ancient physicians. These have long been observed to be very large; and it was on remarking the impossibility, according to our ideas, of exhibiting them with safety to human life, or even of escaping destruction under their influence, that my observation was first drawn to the subject of ancient posology.
How to use "posology"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "posology" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "posology" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "posology" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "pharmacology" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The study of the dosages of drugs, especially the determination of appropriate dosages. countable, uncountable, usually
"The difficulty here alluded to occurs in the doses of medicine exhibited by the ancient physicians. These have long been observed to be very large; and it was on remarking the impossibility, according to our ideas, of exhibiting them with safety to human life, or even of escaping destruction under their influence, that my observation was first drawn to the subject of ancient posology."
- 2 the pharmacological determination of appropriate doses of drugs and medicines wordnet
- 3 In the works of English philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832): the study of quantity; mathematics. historical, rare, uncountable, usually
"[page 253] [T]he branch of art and science therein denominated Posology, but commonly called Mathematics. […] [page 254] Of the two minor aggregates, into which, by this means, the major aggregate, Posology or Mathematics, was divided,—form-regarding, or figure-regarding Posology or Mathematics, in Greek-sprung language, Morphoscopic Posology, was the name given to the positive minor aggregate: […]"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The difficulty here alluded to occurs in the doses of medicine exhibited by the ancient physicians. These have long been observed to be very large; and it was on remarking the impossibility, according to our ideas, of exhibiting them with safety to human life, or even of escaping destruction under their influence, that my observation was first drawn to the subject of ancient posology."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "posology"?
Common synonyms include: pharmacology, pharmacy.
How do you use "posology" in a sentence?
The difficulty here alluded to occurs in the doses of medicine exhibited by the ancient physicians. These have long been observed to be very large; and it was on remarking the impossibility, according to our ideas, of exhibiting them with safety to human life, or even of escaping destruction under their influence, that my observation was first drawn to the subject of ancient posology.
How do you pronounce "posology"?
Pronounced /pəʊˈsɒ.lə.d͡ʒi/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πόσος (pósos, “how much?”) + -ology (suffix indicating a branch of learning).