▪ I. metaphysic, n.1
(mɛtəˈfɪzɪk)
In 4 methaphesik, 5 metaphesyk, methephisike, 6 methaphisick, 6–7 metaphisi(c)k(e, -physi(c)ke, (7 -phisique), 7–8 -physick, (9 -physique).
[ad. scholastic L. metaphysica fem. sing., substituted (on the analogy of other names of sciences: cf. physic) for the older metaphysica neut. pl.; see metaphysics. Cf. F. métaphysique, G. metaphisik.
The sing. form alone appears in Eng. before the 16th c. In the 17th and 18th c. it was almost superseded by metaphysics; in the 19th c., owing to German influences it began to be preferred by many philosophical writers.]
1. a. = metaphysics 1 a.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 365 He [Aristotle] made..problemys of perspective and of methaphesik [1432–50 problemes perspective and metaphisicalle, orig. et perspectiva problemata et metaphysicam]. c 1450 Cov. Myst., Doctors in Temple 189 Ageyn oure argemente is no recystence In metaphesyk ne astronomye. 1527 Tindale Par. Wicked Mammon Wks. (1573) 88/1 How shoulde he vnderstand the scripture, seing he is no Philosopher, neyther hath sene his metaphisike? 1586 T. B[eard] La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. 72 Physike, which is the studie of naturall things: Metaphysike, which is of supernaturall things. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vii. §3 The one part which is Phisicke enquireth and handleth the Materiall & Efficient Cavses, & the other which is Metaphisicke handleth the Formal and Final Cavses. 1742 Pope Dunc. iv. 645 Physic of Metaphysic begs defence, And Metaphysic calls for aid on Sense. 1775 Horsley in Phil. Trans. LXV. 182 The uncertain conclusions of an ill-conducted analogy, and a false metaphysic, were mixed with the few simple precepts derived from observation. 1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. ix. (1882) 71 [Fichte] supplied the idea of a system truly metaphysical, and of a metaphysique truly systematic. 1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma (1876) 399 The mis-attribution to the Bible..of a science and an abstruse metaphysic which is not there. 1883 E. Caird in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 79 For Aristotle, metaphysic is the science which has to do with Being as such, Being in general. 1918 B. Russell in Monist XXVIII. 496 In the present lectures, I shall try to set forth..a kind of logical doctrine which seems to..result from the philosophy of mathematics..: a certain kind of logical doctrine, and on the basis of this a certain kind of metaphysic. 1968 J. M. Ziman Public Knowl. iii. 38 One further condition may be necessary for consensible knowledge—a common metaphysic. Those who participate in the consensus must already share many beliefs. 1969 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 16 Jan. 15/1 The United States, whose metaphysic, according to Lionel Trilling, is always material and practical, has much more closely fulfilled the nineteenth-century Comtean vision of the future. 1972 D. Bell in Cox & Dyson 20th-Cent. Mind I. vi. 211 On this central point Bosanquet's metaphysic remains impenetrably obscure, sustained by a combination of piety and metaphor. |
b. = metaphysics 1 b.
| 1865 J. H. Stirling Sir W. Hamilton 41 The true metaphysic of the subject nowhere finds itself represented in the preceding discussion. 1874 Lewes Probl. Life & Mind Ser. i. I. Introd. i. iv. 67 Every science has its metaphysic. |
¶ 2. Something visionary.
| 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xiv. lxxxi. (1612) 341 Or for a Metaphysick hold the Proiect of her prayse. |
▪ II. metaphysic, a. and n.2
(mɛtəˈfɪzɪk)
[ad. scholastic L. metaphysicus adj., developed from metaphysica n. pl.: see metaphysics. Cf. F. metaphysique, Sp. metaf{iacu}sico, It. metafisico.]
A. adj. = metaphysical. Now rare.
| 1528 Tindale Obed. Chr. Man To Rdr. 18 Alleginge vnto them textes of logycke, of naturall philautia, of methaphisick and morall philosophy. 1569 J. Sandford tr. Agrippa's Van. Artes liii. 70 The whiche because they be not in the nature of thinges, but are supposed to be aboue nature, therefore they call them transnaturall or Metaphisicke. a 1631 Donne Paradoxes (1652) 25 And that poore knowledg..we call Metaphysicke, supernaturall. 1663 Butler Hud. i. i. 150 He knew what's what, and that's as high As metaphysic wit can fly. 1683 E. Hooker Pref. Pordage's Mystic Div. 102 Even the most Metaphysic subtilissimoes after that thei haue fatigated..themselves with their Divisions and Subdivisions. 1750 Walpole Let. to Mann 2 Aug., The Bishop of Durham [Chandler]..is succeeded by Butler of Bristol, a metaphysic author. 1779 Johnson L.P., Cowley Wks. II. 26 Milton tried the metaphysick style only in his lines upon Hobson the Carrier. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 8 The metaphysic knight of the sorrowful countenance. 1793 W. F. Mavor Chr. Politics 18 A metaphysic liberty and equality intoxicated the mad multitude. 1873 Browning Red Cott. Nt.-cap 1178 What foe would dare approach? Historic Doubt?.. Acumen metaphysic? |
† B. n.2 A metaphysician. Obs.
| a 1586 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 25 And the Metaphisick, though it be in the seconde and abstract notions, and therefore be counted supernaturall: yet doth hee indeede builde vpon the depth of Nature. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. iv. (Arb.) 25 They [poets] were the first Astronomers and Philosophists and Metaphisicks. 1623 Cockeram, Metaphisicks, one skild in these Artes. Metaphysicke. |
▪ III. metaˈphysic, v. rare.
[f. prec. n. Cf. F. métaphysiquer.]
trans. a. To treat metaphysically. b. To ply with metaphysics.
| 1782 H. Walpole Lett. to G. Hardinge Priv. Corr. (1820) IV. 306 A piece of genuine French, not metaphysicked by La Harpe, by Thomas, &c. 1801 [see metaphorize v.]. |