Mēd'i-cīne1, n.
(colloq. mēd'sin, or mēd'sn), n. [Lat. medicina (sc. ars), from medicinus, medical, from medicus: Fr. médecine, Pr., Sp., & It. medicina.] 1. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; remedial agent; remedy; physic. By medicine life may be prolonged. Shak.
- That branch of science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of the diseases of the human body; as, the study of medicine, or a student of medicine.
- Any thing mysterious, wonderful, or unaccountable; — so called among the North American Indians, or in works relating to them.
- [Fr. médecin, from Lat. medicinus.] A physician. [Obs.] Shak.
Medicine-bag, a mystery bag; a charm; — so called among the North American Indians, or in works relating to them. — Medicine-seal, a small greenish-colored stone, engraved from right to left about the rim, and used by Roman physicians to mark their medicines. They are found about old Roman towns in Europe. Mayne.