'allopathy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allopatheia,' where 'allo-' meant 'other' and 'patheia' meant 'suffering.'

'allopatheia' transformed into the French word 'allopathie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'allopathy' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'treatment of disease by inducing a condition different from or opposed to the condition to be treated,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.