physic

phys·ic  (fzk)

n.

1. A medicine or drug, especially a cathartic.

2. Archaic The art or profession of medicine.

tr.v. phys·icked, phys·ick·ing, phys·ics

1. To act on as a cathartic.

2. To cure or heal.

3. To treat with or as if with medicine.

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[Middle English phisik, from Old French fisique, medical science, natural science, from Latin, natural science, from Greek phusik, feminine of phusikos, of nature, from phusis, nature; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

physic - a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels aperient, cathartic, purgative aloes, bitter aloes - a purgative made from the leaves of aloe castor oil - a purgative extracted from the seed of the castor-oil plant; used in paint and varnish as well as medically Epsom salts - (used with a singular noun) hydrated magnesium sulfate used as a laxative laxative - a mild cathartic medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease milk of magnesia - purgative consisting of a milky white liquid suspension of magnesium hydroxide; used as a laxative and (in smaller doses) as an antacid Rochelle powder, Seidlitz powder, Seidlitz powders - an effervescing salt containing sodium bicarbonate and Rochelle salt and tartaric acid; used as a cathartic