medicine

med-i-cine · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A substance used to treat illness or injury.

  2. 2.

    The science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.

  3. 3.

    (among indigenous peoples) A magical or ritual practice believed to have healing powers.

Forms

plural: medicines

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    take one's medicine — Accept punishment or unpleasant consequences.
  • •
    a taste/dose of one's own medicine — The same bad treatment one has given to others.

Related words

Antonyms: poison
See also: doctor, medical, medication
Synonyms: drug, medication, remedy

Etymology

From Old French medecine, from Latin medicina ("the healing art, medicine"), from medicus ("physician"), from mederi ("to heal").