Category:Physic

Phys"ic, n. Etym: [oe. phisike, fisike, of. phisique, f. physique Knowledge of nature, physics, l. physica, physice, fr. Gr. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, physique.]

1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory Or practice of medicine. "a doctor of physik." Chaucer.

2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of Sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.

3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.

4. A physician. [r.] Shak. Physic nut (bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (jatropha curcas), and its seeds, which Are well flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them Dangerous if eaten in large quantities.

Physic Phys"ic, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Physiced; p. pr. & vb. n. Physicking.]

1. To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine to, esp. A cathartic; to operate on as a cathartic; to purge.

2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure. The labor we delight in physics pain. Shak. A mind diseased no remedy can physic. Byron.