medicine Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
    medical specialty.
  2. noun (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease
    medicament; medication; medicinal drug.
  3. noun the learned profession that is mastered by graduate training in a medical school and that is devoted to preventing or alleviating or curing diseases and injuries
    practice of medicine.
    • he studied medicine at Harvard
  4. noun punishment for one's actions
    music.
    • you have to face the music
    • take your medicine
  5. verb treat medicinally, treat with medicine
    medicate.

WordNet

Med"i*cine noun
Etymology
L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. médecine. See Medical.
Definitions
  1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.
  2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a remedy; physic.
    By medicine, life may be prolonged. Shak.
  3. A philter or love potion. Obs. Shak.
  4. F. médecin. A physician. Obs. Shak.
Med"i*cine transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure. "Medicine thee to that sweet sleep." Shak.

Webster 1913