What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Medicine vs Physic - What's the difference?

medicine | physic |

In context|obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between medicine and physic

is that medicine is (obsolete) a physician while physic is (obsolete) a physician.

As nouns the difference between medicine and physic

is that medicine is a substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way while physic is (countable) a medicine or drug, especially a cathartic or purgative.

As verbs the difference between medicine and physic

is that medicine is (rare|obsolete) to treat with medicine while physic is to cure or heal; to treat or administer medicine, especially to purge.

As an adjective physic is

relating to or concerning existent materials; physical.

medicine

English

(wikipedia medicine)

Alternative forms

* medicin (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way.
  • A treatment or cure.
  • The study of the cause, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease or illness.
  • The profession of physicians, surgeons and related specialisms; those who practice medicine.
  • Ritual Native American magic used (notably by a medicine man) to promote a desired outcome in healing, hunting, warfare etc.
  • (obsolete) black magic, superstition.
  • (obsolete) A philtre or love potion.
  • * 1597 , , II. ii. 18:
    • If the rascal have not given me medicines' to make me love him, I'll be hanged. It could not be else. I have drunk ' medicines .
  • (obsolete) A physician.
  • * 1598 , , II. i. 72:
    • I have seen a medicine
    That's able to breathe life into a stone

    Synonyms

    * (treatment) regimen, course, program, prescription * (substance) drug, prescription, pharmaceutical, elixir * See also * See also

    Derived terms

    * Ayurvedic medicine * clinical medicine * Edison's medicine * energy medicine * evidence-based medicine * folk medicine * forced medicine * indigenous medicine * medicinal * medicine ball * medicine dance * medicine man * medicine show * organized medicine * take one's medicine * taste of one's own medicine * traditional medicine

    Related terms

    * medic * medicament * medication * medicate * premedication

    Verb

    (medicin)
  • (rare, obsolete) To treat with medicine.
  • *

    • See also

    * therapy * panacea

    References

    * Prescription Desk Reference, Prescription Drug Information: * * " medicine" in the Merriam-Webster On-line dictionary * " medicine" in the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia , Helicon Publishing LTD 2007. * * 1000 English basic words ----

    physic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * physick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Relating to or concerning existent materials; physical.

    • Noun

  • (countable) A medicine or drug, especially a cathartic or purgative.
  • (uncountable) The art or profession of healing disease; medicine.
  • (obsolete) A physician.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Derived terms

    * physician

    Verb

  • To cure or heal; to treat or administer medicine, especially to purge.