phrenic, a. (n.)
(ˈfrɛnɪk)
[ad. mod.L. phrenicus or a. F. phrénique (1690 in Hatz.-Darm.), f. Gr. ϕρήν, ϕρεν- diaphragm, mind: see -ic.]
1. Anat. and Path. Of, pertaining to, or affecting the diaphragm; diaphragmatic.
| 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Phrenick Vessels, are the Veins and Arteries that run through the Diaphragm, Mediastinum, and Pericardium. 1741 Monro Anat. Nerves (ed. 3) 19 Press one or both the phrenic Nerves. 1832 J. Thomson W. Cullen I. 441 The Phrenic or Epigastric Centre. 1842 E. Wilson Anat. Vade M. 350 The Phrenic veins return the blood from the ramifications of the phrenic arteries. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 649 Phrenic neuritis. |
† 2. Of or relating to the mind; mental. Obs.
| 1835–6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 126/2 The nerves of animal, or, better, of phrenic life. 1838 Fraser's Mag. XVII. 27 The Theosophs were right in separating entirely the mind from the soul, in considering them..as different principles, as the physic and the phrenic. 1847 Medwin Shelley I. 149 Two sorts of dreams, the Phrenic and the Psychic. |
B. n. (absolute use of A.)
1. Anat. Short for phrenic nerve.
| 1776 Cruikshank in Phil. Trans. LXXXV. 187 The possibility of having divided only one of the phrenics. 1881 Mivart Cat 209 It gives off a long and very slender branch, called the superior phrenic. |
2. Med. A remedy or medicine for mental disease.
| 1853 Dunglison Med. Lex., Phrenica, diseases affecting the intellect... Also remedies that affect the mental faculties—Phrenics. |
3. pl. phrenics: That branch of science which relates to the mind; psychology.
| 1841 R. Park Pantology ii. iii. (1847) 82 We would apply the term Phrenics to Mental Philosophy; or to that branch of knowledge, which treats of the faculties of the human mind, and their laws of action. 1893 Syd. Soc. Lex., Phrenics..also metaphysics. |