Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal promise made by doctors: The Hippocratic Oath is a traditional pledge taken by physicians, historically attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, that outlines ethical principles and professional conduct for the practice of medicine.

Usage

• The Hippocratic Oath is typically taken by medical graduates at the beginning of their professional careers.
• It serves as a foundational statement of medical ethics, emphasizing duties such as patient confidentiality, beneficence, and non-maleficence ("do no harm").

Examples

• Noun:
  • All new doctors at the ceremony swore the Hippocratic Oath.
  • Adherence to the principles of the Hippocratic Oath is considered fundamental to the medical profession.

Advanced Usage

• "To take the Hippocratic Oath": The act of formally swearing to uphold its ethical principles.
  • She will take the Hippocratic Oath upon graduating from medical school.
• "Bound by the Hippocratic Oath": Being obligated to follow its ethical guidelines.
  • Physicians are bound by the Hippocratic Oath to prioritize patient welfare.

Variants and Related Words

• Hippocratic (adj): Pertaining to Hippocrates or the principles associated with him.
  • The Hippocratic Corpus is a collection of ancient Greek medical texts.
• Oath (n): A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness.
  • Witnesses in court must take an oath to tell the truth.

Synonyms

• Medical oath: A general term for any sworn pledge taken by medical professionals.
• Physician's pledge: An alternative phrase for a doctor's formal promise of ethical conduct.

Related Phrases

• "First, do no harm" (Primum non nocere): A central tenet often associated with, though not directly quoted from, the classical Hippocratic Oath.
  • The doctor's decision was guided by the principle, "First, do no harm."

Noun

1. an oath taken by physicians to observe medical ethics deriving from Hippocrates