medicine
    n 1: the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical
         techniques [syn: medicine, medical specialty]
    2: (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates
       the symptoms of disease [syn: medicine, medication,
       medicament, medicinal drug]
    3: the learned profession that is mastered by graduate training
       in a medical school and that is devoted to preventing or
       alleviating or curing diseases and injuries; "he studied
       medicine at Harvard" [syn: medicine, practice of
       medicine]
    4: punishment for one's actions; "you have to face the music";
       "take your medicine" [syn: music, medicine]
    v 1: treat medicinally, treat with medicine [syn: medicate,
         medicine]

Physic \Phys"ic\ (f[i^]z"[i^]k), n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF.
   phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L.
   physica, physice, fr. Gr. fysikh`, fr. fysiko`s natural, from
   fy`sis nature, fr. fy`ein to produce, grow, akin to E. be.
   See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique.]
   1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the
      theory or practice of medicine; -- an archaic term,
      superseded by medicine. [archaic] "A doctor of physik."
      --Chaucer.
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   2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of
      sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.
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   3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.
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   4. A physician. [R.] --Shak.
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   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.
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Medicine \Med"i*cine\, v. t.
   To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy;
   to cure. "Medicine thee to that sweet sleep." --Shak.
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Medicine \Med"i*cine\, n. [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus
   medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. m['e]decine. See Medical.]
   1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or
      alleviation of disease.
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   2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a
      remedial agent; a medication; a drug; a pharmaceutical; a
      medicament; a remedy; physic.
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            By medicine, life may be prolonged.   --Shak.
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   3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   4. [F. m['e]decin.] A physician. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   5.
      (a) Among the North American Indians, any object supposed
          to give control over natural or magical forces, to act
          as a protective charm, or to cause healing; also,
          magical power itself; the potency which a charm,
          token, or rite is supposed to exert.
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                The North American Indian boy usually took as
                his medicine the first animal of which he
                dreamed during the long and solitary fast that
                he observed at puberty.           --F. H.
                                                  Giddings.
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      (b) Hence, a similar object or agency among other savages.
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   6. Short for Medicine man.
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   7. Intoxicating liquor; drink. [Slang]
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   Medicine bag, a charm; -- so called among the North
      American Indians, or in works relating to them.

   Medicine man (among the North American Indians), a person
      who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits,
      and regulate the weather by the arts of magic; a shaman.
      

   Medicine seal, a small gem or paste engraved with reversed
      characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by
      Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines.
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MEDICINE, n.  A stone flung down the Bowery to kill a dog in Broadway.