# medicine

Pronunciation: say "MED-i-sin" US /ˈmɛd.ɪ.sɪn/, UK /ˈmɛd.ɪ.s(ɪ)n/

## Noun

1. A substance taken into the body to promote healing or treat an illness; a pharmaceutical drug.
   - Simple: A pill, liquid, or other substance you take to help you get well or feel better.
   - _She keeps her medicine in a cabinet above the sink._
   - _Some medicines must be taken on an empty stomach._
2. The science and professional practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and illness.
   - Simple: The study and practice of treating and preventing illness.
   - _Modern medicine relies on rigorous clinical trials before approving any new drug._
   - _He devoted his entire career to research in medicine._
3. Any treatment or cure for a problem or affliction.
   - Simple: Anything that helps cure a problem or make it better.
   - _Time proved the only medicine for her grief._
   - _A long walk is the perfect medicine for a stressful day._
4. In some traditional, especially Native American, belief, spiritual or magical power, or an object or ritual believed to carry it, used for healing, protection, or success.
   - Simple: In some traditional beliefs, special spiritual power, or an object or ritual thought to have it, used to heal or protect.
   - _Before the raid, the warriors gathered to make medicine for victory._
   - _The shaman's medicine was said to guide the hunters straight to the herd._
5. The work of physicians who treat patients without operating, when regarded as a profession separate from surgery.
   - Simple: The work of doctors who treat illness with drugs, not with surgery.
   - _A physician of that era practiced medicine and left the knife to the surgeons._
   - _The college kept medicine and surgery as distinct professions for centuries._
6. Recreational drugs, especially alcoholic drinks, taken for enjoyment rather than healing. *(slang)*
   - Simple: Alcohol or other drugs taken for fun, not for health.
   - _The bartender slid him a glass and said the medicine was on the house._
   - _A little medicine after work helped him forget the long meeting._

## Noun

7. Black magic or superstition; the practice of or belief in harmful magical power. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Evil magic, or belief in harmful magic powers.
8. A philter or love potion; a magical drink prepared to inspire love or desire in the one who takes it. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A magic drink made to make someone fall in love.
9. A physician; a person trained to treat disease and illness. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A person whose job is to treat sick people, a doctor.

## Verb

10. To treat a person or ailment with medicine. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To give someone medicine to make them well.

## Origin

Latin medicīna ("the healing art, a remedy"), from medicus ("a physician, surgeon"), reached Middle English as medicin by way of Old French and Middle French. The "Indigenous magic" sense was calqued on Ojibwe mashkiki or mide, as seen in compounds such as medicine man and medicine wheel.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/medicine (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).