Physic Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

An old-fashioned or literary word for medicine, especially a purging medicine (laxative). Rarely used in modern English.

Usage & Nuances

Very rare and archaic; mostly found in historical, literary, or poetic English. Most modern speakers use 'medicine' or 'laxative'. 'Physic' can also be a verb (to treat with medicine) in older texts.

• Spanish: medicina (antiguo) - purgante (medicina antigua)
• Portuguese (BR): medicamento (antigo) - purgante (antigo)
• Portuguese (PT): medicamento (antigo) - purgante (antigo)
• Chinese (Simplified): 药剂（古语）- 泻药（古）
• Chinese (Traditional): 藥劑（古語）- 瀉藥（古）
• Hindi: दवा (पुराना अर्थ) - विरेचक (पुराना)
• Arabic: دواء (قديم) - ملين (قديم)
• Bengali: ষুধ - রেচক (পূরাতন শব্দ)
• Russian: лекарство (устар.) - слабительное (устар.)
• Japanese: 薬（古語） - 下剤（古語）
• Vietnamese: thuốc (cổ) - thuốc nhuận tràng (xưa)
• Korean: 약(고어) - 완하제(고어)
• Turkish: ilaç (eski kullanım) - müshil (eski kullanım)
• Urdu: دوا (قدیم اصطلاح) - جلاب (قدیم اصطلاح)
• Indonesian: thuốc (cũ) - thuốc xổ (cũ)

Example Sentences

The doctor prescribed a strong physic to clear his system.

basic

In the old days, people took physic for many illnesses.

basic

You won’t find much physic in a modern pharmacy; ask for medicine instead.

natural

In Shakespeare’s time, a bitter physic was seen as a cure-all remedy.

natural

Some old novels mention taking a dose of physic after a big meal.

natural

He refused to take his physic despite being ill.

basic