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physic

FIZ-ik/ˈfɪz.ɪk/

Pluralphysics

Verbphysics, physicking, physicked

7 meanings of physic

Practice

  1. 1
    nounarchaiccountable
    A medicine given to make someone well, often one that empties the bowels.

    Like a drink that flushes everything out of the body.

    The doctor gave him a strong physic to settle his stomach.

    Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief.
    1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 34”Here, physic means medicine that helps make someone well.
    Note
  2. 2
    nounarchaicuncountable
    The work and skill of treating sick people, medicine as a profession.

    Like learning to fix bodies the way a mechanic learns to fix cars.

    He studied physic at the university before becoming a doctor.

    In those days, physic was learned from old books and bedside practice.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To give someone medicine, especially something to clean out the bowels.

    Doctors used to physic their patients for almost every complaint.

    She physicked the child with a spoonful of bitter syrup.

    Similardose, medicate, purge

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To make a sick or hurt person well again.

    Rest and good food can physic a tired body.

    The old remedy physicked his cough within days.

    Similarheal, cure

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    nounarchaicuncountable
    The study of nature and how the physical world works, an old name for physics.

    Like a science class where you learn how things move and fall.

    He spent years studying physic to understand motion and light.

    Old scholars grouped physic with mathematics and astronomy.

    Note
  2. 6
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
    A person whose job is to treat illness, a doctor.
    Desire is death, which physic did except.
    1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 147”Here, physic means a doctor, a person who treats illness.
    Note
  3. 7
    adjectivearchaic
    Having to do with real things that you can see and touch. It means the same as physical.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meaning 7

From Latin physicus and Greek phusikos meaning 'natural,' from phusis 'nature,' from a root meaning 'to grow.'

Meanings 1–6

From Old French fisike 'natural science, art of healing,' from Latin physica 'study of nature,' from Greek phusikē, meaning 'natural.'