▪ I. theoric, n. and a.1 Obs. or arch.
(ˈθiːərɪk)
Also 4–5 -ik, 4–7 -ike, 4–9 -ique, 5–6 -yke, -yque, 6–7 -icke, -icque, 6–8 -ick.
[ME. theorique in Gower, a. OF. theorique (13th c. in Godef., opposed to pratique practice), prob. repr. a med.L. theōrica, Gr. θεωρική (not recorded in this sense): cf. med.L. theōricus adj. (13th c. in Du Cange) in vita theorica the contemplative life. The place of the stress, as in ˈcatholic, is due to Fr. derivation.
(L. *theōricē n., attributed in the Dicts. to Jerome, is now eliminated as an error, the word being θεολογικήν.)]
A. n.
1. = theory1 4, 5: chiefly in sense 4 b; often opposed to practic or practice. Obs. or arch.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 85 The nature of Philosophie, Which Aristotle..Declareth..As of thre points in principal. Wherof the ferste in special Is Theorique. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 389 b/2 Phylosophye is deuyded in thre in theoryque in practyque and in logyque. 1565 J. Halle Hist. Expost. (Percy Soc.) 42 Chirurgerye cannot be perfectlye learned wythoute theorike. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, i. i. 52 So that the Art and Practique part of Life, Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique. 1601 Holland Pliny II. Explan. Words, Theoricke, or Theoretique, contemplative knowledge without action and practise. 1604 Shakes. Oth. i. i. 24. 1720 Strype Stow's Surv. (1754) I. i. vi. 32/2 The great French Philosopher Des Cartes..telling us, that, from the Theorique of the Moon, the Moon moves so in her elliptical Orb [etc.]. 1830 Miss Mitford Village Ser. iv. 195 These..matters..may rather be termed the theorique than the practique of reform. 1853 [see practic n.1 1]. |
† b. A theoretical treatise or discourse. Obs.
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. Prol. 3 The .4. partie shal ben a theorik to declare the Moeuynge of the celestial bodies with [þe] causes. |
† c. pl. theorics: theoretical statements or notions; theory; often opp. to practics or practice.
| 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. i. Defin., As they in theyr theorikes (which ar only mind workes) do precisely vnderstand these definitions. 1602 Blundeville (title) The Theoriques of the seuen Planets, shewing all their diuerse motions. 1637 Wotton Lett. (1907) II. 371 He was..a rare mathematician even..in algebra and the theoriques. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Cornw. (1662) i. 202 Atwell..was well seen in the Theoricks of Physick, and happy in the practise thereof. |
† 2. A (mental) view or survey; a conspectus.
| 1591 Lambarde Eiren. Proheme 2 A summarie consideration & Theorique of the whole office belonging to this Iustice. Ibid. i. 4 (heading) The First Booke, conteining a Theoricqve [ed. 1602, or insight] of the office of the Iustices of Peace. |
† 3. A mechanical device theoretically representing or explaining a natural phenomenon. Obs.
| 1592 Dee Comp. Rehears. (Chetham Soc.) 28 Divers other instrumentes as the theorick of the eighth spheare, the nynth and tenth, with an horizon and meridian of copper. 1594 Blundevil Exerc. vi. Introd. (1636) 608 In the Limbe of the backe part is described the Theorique of the Sun, to know therby in what signe and degree the Sun is every day..by laying the Diopter thereto. 1657 W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc i. 145 He caused a mechanicall Theoric [printed Theorie; the L. is theoricen mechanicam] or Instrument to be made..that..the Places of the..Stars might be calculated. |
† 4. A man devoted to contemplation or speculation; a member of a contemplative sect of Essenes. (Cf. practic n.2) Obs.
| 1625 T. Godwin Moses & Aaron i. xii. 62 Of these Essenes there were two sorts, some Theorikes, giuing themselues wholly to speculation; others Practicks, laborious..in..handy-crafts. a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. vii. (1642) 430 The one sect hee names Theoriques or Contemplators. 1798 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. XXVII. 212 To the theorics, or instructors, a supper only. |
† B. adj.
1. = theoretic 3, theoretical 2. (Often opp. to practic = practical.) Obs.
| 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. i. Defin., This exactnes of definition is more meeter for onlye Theorike speculacion, then for practise and outwarde worke. 1662 Playford Skill Mus. i. i. (1674) 5 A true Rule of the Theorick part of Musick. 1726 Adv. Capt. R. Boyle (1768) 25 Gardening..I always took Delight in, both Theoric and Practic. 1804 W. Taylor in Crit. Rev. Ser. iii. III. 528 These were daily instructed..both in the theoric and practic parts of the Pythagorean philosophy. |
† 2. Knowing or studying the theory of things; theorizing; contemplative, speculative; = theoretic a. 2, 3 c, theoretical 1, 3. Obs.
| 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. ii. iii, According to our subdivision of a courtier, elementary, practique, and theorique. Your courtier theoric, is he that hath arrived to his farthest, and doth now know the court rather by speculation than practice. 1602 Plat Delightes for Ladies Epist. (1605) 3 By fancie framde within a theorique braine. 1632 Massinger & Field Fatal Dowry ii. i, A man but young, Yet old in judgment; theoric and practic In all humanity. |
▪ II. theoric, a.2 Gr. Antiq.
(θiːˈɒrɪk)
[ad. Gr. θεωρικός pertaining to spectacles, f. θεωρία viewing, beholding.]
Pertaining to or connected with public spectacles, religious functions, and solemn embassies: applied esp. to a fund provided for these purposes from the public treasury at Athens. (Cf. theory2.)
| 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., By the law of Eubulus, it was made a capital crime to pervert the theoric money to any other use; even to employ it in the occasions of war. 1852 Grote Greece ii. lxxv. IX. 526 The Theoric Board, or Paymasters for the general expenses of public worship and sacrifice. 1884 Q. Rev. Oct. 342 Pericles..by his theoric largesses, helped to swell the city mob of idlers. |