▪ I. physic, n.
(ˈfɪzɪk)
Forms: α. 3–4 fisyke, 4 fisyk, fizike, 4–5 fisik(e, fysik, fysyk(e, 5 fisykke, fesike, 5–6 fesyk. β. 4 phisek, phesike, 4–6 phisik(e, -yk(e, 4–7 phisique, 5 phisikke, phesyk, 5–6 phisyque, physyk(e, 5–7 phisick(e, -ik(e, 6 -ycke, 6–7 physike, 6–8 -ick(e, 7 -iq(ue, 7– physic.
[ME. fisike, a. OF. fisique (12th c.), ad. L. physica, a. Gr. ϕυσική (ἐπιστήµη) the knowledge of nature: see physic a.]
1. Natural science, the knowledge of the phenomenal world; = physics 1. Now rare.
| 13.. Seuyn Sag. (W.) 186 And eke alle the seven ars. The first so was grammarie..Rettorike, and ek fisike. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 89 Phisique..Thurgh which the philosophre hath founde To techen sondri knowlechinges Upon the bodiliche thinges, Of man, of beste, of herbe, of ston. 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. v. in Ashm. Theat. Chem. Brit. (1652) 57 But it is not so in the Phisick of Mines. 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. (1594) 72 Physike, which is the studie of naturall things: metaphysike, which is of supernaturall things. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T. 1 Cor. ii, True Physick is the Knowledge of the knowable Works of God, and God in them. 1742 Pope Dunc. iv. 645 Physic of Metaphysic begs defence, And Metaphysic calls for aid on Sense! 1883 A. Barratt Phys. Metempiric 171 This is the only form in which the question of mind and matter has any meaning to Physic, for Physic knows nothing of either mind or matter except as objects and physical phenomena. |
2. The knowledge of the human body;
esp. the theory of diseases and their treatment; medical science, medicine.
arch.| [1125 William of Malmesbury De Gestis Regum Angl. ii. Prol., Physicam quæ medetur corporis valetudini.] c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 411 Wiþ vs ther was a Doctour of Phisik, In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik To speke of phisik and of Surgerye. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 23 For in Phisique this I finde, Usage is the seconde kinde. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xvi. (Percy Soc.) 62 Of phisike it is the properte To ayde the body in every sekenes. 1542 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 40 The science of phisicke dothe comprehend, include, and conteyne, the knowledge of surgery as a speciall membre and parte of the same. 1662–3 Pepys Diary 27 Feb., To Chyrurgeon's Hall.. where..we had a fine dinner and good learned company, many Doctors of Phisique. 1758 Blackstone Study of Law i. in Comm. (1765) I. 14 The gentleman of the faculty of physic. 1808 Med. Jrnl. XIX. 468 To admit ‘certificates from schools of physic may prevent the possibility of ascertaining a regular education’. |
3. a. The art or practice of healing; the healing art; the medical profession.
| 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 3162 Suþ þe monekes abit on him he let do, And nom wiþ him spicerie þat to fisyke drou. 1340 Ayenb. 54 Hit iualþ ofte þet þe ilke þet be fisike leueþ be fizike sterfþ. 1481 Caxton Myrr. i. xii. 38 Phisyke..is a mestier or a crafte that entendeth to the helthe of mannes body. 1523 Act 14 & 15 Hen. VIII, c. 5 §3 Suffred to excercyse or practyse in Physyk. 1700 S. L. tr. Fryke's Voy. E. Ind. 4 Any service suitable to my profession, which was Physick. 1813 J. Thomson Lect. Inflam. Introd., The practice of Medicine has long been divided into two departments, Physic and Surgery. 1871 Sir T. Watson Princ. & Pract. Physic Introd. Lect., This art of Physic..needs to be begun under the protecting eye..of a master in the craft. |
b. The medical faculty personified; physicians.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. vii. 256, I dar legge boþe myn Eres, Þat Fisyk schal his Forred hod for his foode sulle. 1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. 984 That Phisicke thriue not ouer fast by murder. 1672 Sir T. Browne Let. Friend §20 Amply satisfied that his Disease should dye with himself, nor revive in a Posterity to puzzle Physick. 1764 Gray The Candidate 5 ‘Lord, sister’, says Physic to Law, ‘I declare [etc.]’. |
† c. Medical treatment or regimen.
Obs.| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1902 Ffarewel Phisik; go ber the man to chirche. 1471 J. Paston in P. Lett. III. 7 My leche crafte and fesyk..hathe cost me sythe Estern Day more then v li. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 36 §1 The same Sir William..lay both at Surgery and Fesyk..by the space of ii yeres and more. 1568 Bible (Bishops') Ecclus. xviii. 18 Goe to phisicke or euer thou be sicke. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. ix. §83 The Lord Goring being not then well, but engaged in a course of Physick. 1700 Prideaux Lett. (Camden) 194 An end will soon be made beyond y⊇ remedy of physic and repentance. |
4. a. = medicine n.1 2. (Now chiefly
colloq.)
| 1591 Harington Orl. Fur. Pref., Tasso..likeneth Poetrie to the Phisicke that men giue vnto little children when they are sick. 1605 Shakes. Macb. v. iii. 47 Throw Physicke to the Dogs, Ile none of it. 1696 Tate & Brady Ps. civ. 14 Herbs, for Man's use, of various Pow'r, That either Food or Physick yield. 1730 Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 11 A little money, food or physic. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. ii. vi, And, Janey, you'll take the physic, like a precious lamb: and heaps of nice things you shall have after it, to drive the taste out. 1872 Geo. Eliot Middlem. x, As bad as the wrong physic,—nasty to take, and sure to disagree. |
b. spec. A cathartic or purge.
| 1617 Abp. Abbot Descr. World (1634) 303 The people..doe vse it [Tobacco] as Physicke to purge themselues of humours. 1624 Donne Serm. xvii. (1640) 170 Affliction is my Physick; that purges, that cleanses me. 1831 Youatt Horse iv. 56 The spring grass is the best physic that can possibly be administered to the horse. It carries off every humour which may be lurking about the animal. |
† 5. a. fig. Wholesome or curative regimen or habit.
| c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 18 Atempree diett was al hir phisik. 14.. in Q. Eliz. Acad. etc. 49 Erly to ryse is fysyke fyne. 1591 Greene Farew. to Follie Wks. (Grosart) IX. 239 Dinner being done, counting it Phisicke to sit a while, the old Countesse [etc.]. 1699 Dryden To J. Driden 116 Who, nature to repair, Draws physic from the fields in draughts of vital air. |
b. Mental, moral, or spiritual remedy.
Obs.| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 349 The wofull peine of loves maladie, Ayein the which mai no phisique availe. c 1440 Generydes 6876 If I here kyssid, I think, so god me save, It were the best fisykke that I cowde haue. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. ii. vii. (1634) 160 To crave the Phisicke of grace that is in Christ. 1656 Burton's Diary 16 Dec. (1828) I. 150 He is a madman. It is good physic to whip him. a 1703 Burkitt On N.T. Matt. v. 4 Sorrow for sin is physick on earth, but it is food in hell. |
6. attrib. and
Comb., as
† physic-craft,
† physic-god,
† physic-rack,
† physic-word;
physic-taking adj.;
physic-ball, medicine in the form of a ball or bolus for administration to a horse, dog, etc.;
† physic-bill, a medical prescription; also a medical advertisement;
physic-box, a medicine-chest;
† physic-finger = physician finger;
† physic-school, a medical school. Also
physic garden. (In some of these,
physic may have originally been the
adj.: see
physic a. 2 for similar uses.)
| 1831 Youatt Horse xxiii. 398 The most effectual and safest *physic ball. 1845 ― Dog vi. 118 A physic-ball was given him in the evening, and on the following morning. |
| 1614 T. Adams Divell's Banket 19 It is..a *physick-bill of hell, that they must not wash till they have drunk. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac., Misc. v. iii. (1737) III. 340 To..be scrupulous in our choice, and (as the current physick-bills admonish us) beware of counterfeits. |
| a 1661 B. Holyday Juvenal ii. 23 No babes they leave behind. Big Lyde's *physick-box can this ne're gain. 1900 H. Lawson On Track 55 An' if yer don't get yer physic-box an' come wi' me, by the great God I'll—. |
| 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters II. 217 The incorporated bands of the *physic-craft that call themselves the college of physicians. |
| 1621 Molle Camerar. Liv. Libr. v. ii. 321 The Ring-finger or *Physicke-finger. |
| 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 93 Hee was their æsculapius or *Physicke⁓god. |
| 1706 E. Baynard in Sir J. Floyer Hot & Cold Bath. ii. 280 Brought to the *Physick-Rack, viz. Bleedings,..Diet⁓drinks, Oyntments. |
| 1677–8 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) III. 24 The *Physick schooles. 1767 Gooch Treat. Wounds I. 371 A man, who was executed, and dissected in the physic-schools. |
| 1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 165 The valetudinary, consumptive, and *physic-taking..fall victims of the ship's motion. 1843 Miall in Nonconf. III. 637 That definition which makes man ‘a physic-taking animal’. |
| a 1658 Cleveland Gen. Poems, &c. (1677) 164 Ἐκλείπεσθαι is a *Physick-word, and signifies the Labour of a Disease. |
Hence (
nonce-wds.)
† ˈphysiclike adv., medicinally;
† ˈphysicship, humorous title of a medical authority;
† ˈphysicster, contemptuous term for a medicinal practitioner.
| 1581 Mulcaster Positions xi. (1887) 60 Musick..was vsed in the olde time Physicklike, to stay mourning and greife. 1689 G. Harvey Curing Dis. by Expect. xviii. 137 The description..ought to be razed by their Physickships out of their Pharmaceutic Records. Ibid. xvii. 128 If any young Physickster has an itch to experiment. |
▪ II. physic, a. Now
rare.
(
ˈfɪzɪk)
[a. F. physique, ad. L. physic-us, a. Gr. ϕυσικός natural, f. ϕύσις nature, f. ϕύειν to produce.] 1. Physical, natural.
| 1563 T. Hill Art Garden. (1593) 23 A phisicke experiment of Democritus. 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles i. i. ii. 14 Some Physic Contemplations of Job. Ibid. ii. viii. 99 There are three Kinds of Theologie; the first is called Mythic..another Physic. 1807 J. Barlow Columb. iv. 455 O'er great, o'er small extends his physic laws. c 1811 Fuseli in Lect. Paint. iv. (1848) 439 Invisible physic and metaphysic ideas. |
b. Belonging to physics or natural philosophy.
| 1883 J. B. Thomas in Homilet. Monthly (N.Y.) 8 Jan. 204 Sensitive, nutritive, physic, and chemic phenomena. |
† 2. Medical; medicinal.
Obs. (
= physic n. attrib.,
physical a. 4, 5.)
| 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 144 Libral Sciencis..as gramer, arte fisike, astronomye, and otheris. c 1440 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 217, I axst a mayster of fysyke lore, what wold hym drye and dryve away? 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utop. ii. vi. (1895) 216 My companion..caried with him phisick bokes, certein smal woorkes of Hippocrates, and Galenes Microtechne. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. (1586) 52 b, When you haue seuered..your Physicke Hearbes by themselues, and your Potte hearbes and Sallets in another place. 1577 Mountain Gardener's Labyrinth Title-p., The physick benefit of each herb, plant, and flower. a 1617 Hieron Wks. I. 25 The physick potion..is cleane against the stomacke. 1620 Venner Via Recta ii. 28 Red wine is..good for physicke vses, to stop cholericke vomitings. 1704 Ray Creation ii. 252 The chief Physick Herbs. 1736 N. Jersey Archives XI. 446 A Root call'd Physick Root, filarie or five leaf'd Physick. |
▪ III. physic, v. (
ˈfɪzɪk)
Inflexions
physicked,
physicking.
[f. physic n. 3–5.] 1. trans. To dose or treat with physic or medicine,
esp. with a purgative. Now
colloq.| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xx. 321, I may wel suffre..That frere flaterer be fette and phisike [C. xxiii. 323 fysyke] ȝow syke. 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 279 The Italians order of phisicking his hawke. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. i. i. 92, I will physicke your ranckenesse. 1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady i. vi. §2 (1734) 50 The Animals..are physick'd almost out of their Lives. 1831 Youatt Horse xxiii. 382 In physicking a horse, whatever is to be done, should be done at once. 1876 Fox Bourne Locke II. xii. 258 Locke laid down the rule..that children ought to be physicked as little as possible. |
b. fig. To treat with remedies, relieve, alleviate.
| 1589 Nashe Pref. Greene's Menaphon (Arb.) 7, I wold perswade them to phisicke their faculties of seeing and hearing. 1605 Shakes. Macb. ii. iii. 55 The labour we delight in, Physicks paine. 1641 Milton Reform. i. (1851) 12 Then was the Liturgie given to a number of moderate Divines, and Sir Tho. Smith a Statesman to bee purg'd, and Physick't. 1763 Churchill Duellist i. 34 Vice, within the guilty breast, Could not be physic'd into rest. 1819 Byron Juan ii. xix, A mind diseased no remedy can physic. |
2. slang. To punish in purse or pocket.
| 1821 Egan Life Lond. II. v. (Farmer), You may be most preciously physicked in your clie. 1823 Bee Dict. Turf 134 Winning a man's blunt at cards, or other wagers, is ‘giving him a physicking’. ‘The physicking system’ was put in force at the Doncaster St. Leger, 1822. |
3. Metallurgy. To treat (molten iron, etc.) with an oxidizing body, which combines with and eliminates phosphorus and sulphur.
| 1876 Heeley in Ure Dict. Arts (1878) IV. 475 If with their present plants they could not effectually eliminate sulphur by puddling, ought they not to try to do so by physicking? |
Hence
ˈphysicking vbl. n.; also
ˈphysicker, one who administers physic.
| 1658 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. verse 16. ii. (1669) 187/1 He hath undertook the physicking of his Saints. 1826 Miss Mitford Village Ser. ii. (1863) 415 Dr. Tubb..bleeder, shaver, and physicker of man and beast. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. viii, ‘Now’, said Squeers,..‘is that physicking over?’ |