Phys"ic (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Physiced (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Physicking (?).]
1.
To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine to, esp. a cathartic; to operate on
as a cathartic; to purge.
2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure.
The
labor we delight in physics pain.
Shak. A mind diseased no remedy can
physic.
Byron.
Phys"ic (?), n. [OE.
phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. &?;, fr.
fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. &?; to produce, grow, akin to
E. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique.]
1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory or practice of medicine. "A doctor of physik."
Chaucer.
2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.
3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.
4. A physician. [R.]
Shak.
Physic nut (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree
(Jatropha Curcas), and its
seeds, which are well flavored, but contain a
drastic oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities.
Hear it pronounced