magic bullet

magic bullet
mag·ic bul·let 'maj-ik-'bu̇l-ət n a substance or therapy capable of destroying pathogenic agents (as bacteria or cancer cells) or providing a remedy for a disease or condition without deleterious side effects

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a colloquial name for any drug treatment that is designed to target diseased tissue without adversely affecting healthy tissue. The term has been used especially in reference to new treatments for cancer.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Magic bullet — may refer to: An enchanted bullet of German folklore and a feature of Carl Maria von Weber s ghostly opera Der Freischütz Magic bullet , a concept of selectively targeting a bacterium without affecting other organisms, most associated with Dr.… …   Wikipedia

  • magic bullet — n. [From the notion of a bullet that will kill only the bacterium or disease it is intended for.] A drug or therapy or preventive that cures or prevents a disease, with only minimal side effects; as, there is no magic bullet against cancer.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • magic bullet — magic bullets 1) N COUNT In medicine, a magic bullet is a drug or treatment that can cure a disease quickly and completely. 2) N COUNT A magic bullet is an easy solution to a difficult problem. [INFORMAL] A lot of people are looking for some sort …   English dictionary

  • magic bullet — UK US noun [C] ► a quick and simple solution to a difficult problem: a magic bullet for sth »There is no magic bullet for the water shortage we re facing …   Financial and business terms

  • magic bullet — n 1.) a drug or treatment that can cure a disease or illness quickly and easily 2.) informal something that solves a difficult problem in an easy way ▪ There s no magic bullet for school reform …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • magic bullet — noun count 1. ) a medication designed to cure an illness quickly and completely 2. ) a quick and easy solution to a very difficult problem …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • magic bullet — n. any invention, discovery, solution, etc. that solves a particular problem; esp., a medicine that can cure a disease …   English World dictionary

  • magic bullet — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms magic bullet : singular magic bullet plural magic bullets 1) a medicine designed to cure an illness quickly and completely, without affecting other parts of the body 2) a quick and easy solution to a very… …   English dictionary

  • magic bullet — noun A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease. Often used to refer to a non existent, overly simplistic remedy. In recent years, Penicillin based drugs have lost some of their magic bullet status due to… …   Wiktionary

  • magic bullet — noun Date: 1940 1. a substance or therapy capable of destroying pathogens (as bacteria or cancer cells) or providing an effective remedy for a disease or condition without deleterious side effects 2. something providing an effective solution to a …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • magic bullet — something that cures or remedies without causing harmful side effects: So far there is no magic bullet for economic woes. [1965 70] * * * …   Universalium

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