aquapuncture
|a-qua-punc-ture|
🇺🇸
/ˌækwəˈpʌŋktʃɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˌækwəˈpʌŋktʃə/
injecting water into acupuncture points
Etymology
'aquapuncture' originates from Latin elements: the Latin word 'aqua' meaning 'water' and 'pungere' meaning 'to prick' (the modern English formation combines these senses).
'aquapuncture' is a modern English coinage formed by blending 'aqua-' (Latin 'aqua' = 'water') with the established term 'acupuncture' (which comes from Latin components 'acus' meaning 'needle' and 'pungere' meaning 'to prick'), creating a term that specifies the use of liquid in place of, or alongside, needle stimulation.
Literally 'water' + 'to prick', the coined term came to denote specifically the therapeutic practice of injecting water or saline into acupuncture points rather than (or in addition to) inserting needles.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a method of acupuncture in which sterile water, saline, or another liquid is injected into acupuncture points; commonly used in veterinary medicine as an alternative or adjunct to needle acupuncture.
The veterinarian recommended aquapuncture to help the horse recover from muscle stiffness.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to perform aquapuncture on (an animal or person): to inject sterile water or saline into acupuncture points as a therapeutic procedure.
They aquapunctured the injured dog to reduce inflammation and promote recovery.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 14:02