physic

American  

[fiz-ik] / ˈfɪz ɪk /

noun

1. a medicine that purges; cathartic; laxative.

2. any medicine; a drug or medicament.

3. Archaic. the medical art or profession.

4. Obsolete. natural science.

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verb (used with object)

physicked, physicking

1. to treat with or act upon as a physic or medicine.

2. to work upon as a medicine does; relieve or cure.

physic British  

/ ˈfɪzɪk /

noun

1. rare a medicine or drug, esp a cathartic or purge

2. archaic the art or skill of healing

3. an archaic term for physics

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verb

1. archaic (tr) to treat (a patient) with medicine

Other Word Forms

• physicky
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of physic

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English fisyk(e), phisik(e), from Old French fisique, from Latin physica “natural science” ( Medieval Latin: “medical science”), from Greek physikḗ “science of nature,” noun use of feminine form of physikós “pertaining to nature,” from phýs(is) physis + -ikos -ic; verb derivative of the noun

Explanation

These days, asking the pharmacist for a physic to relieve your constipation will probably get you a blank stare; it's an old-fashioned, rarely-used term for "laxative." Physic comes from the Latin word for "study of nature," so it's unclear how it came to mean a "purging medicine." An almost-synonym is "cathartic," although that word is usually used to describe an emotional purging- like a good cry- rather than physical one. Don't confuse physic with physics, the scientific study of the interaction between energy and matter, or psychic, someone who can read minds and see the future.

Example Sentences

Beginning with his 60th birthday, in 1997, he threw a large party every two years in London’s Chelsea Physic Garden.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

In a later, lengthier statement, the New England Society for Physic Research remembered Dan for his desire to educate and connect with others, and his devotion to his family.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Chelsea Physic Garden, the botanic garden in the same street as the Royal Hospital, predates the flower show by 240 years.

From BBC • May 20, 2013

WaterSmart was founded in 2009 and has raised $1.9 million in two rounds of venture capital from investors such as Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Physic Ventures and Sand Hill Angels.

From Forbes • Oct. 2, 2012

What, thou art not come hither to take Physic, ha!

From The Stolen Heiress or, The Salamanca Doctor Outplotted by Centlivre, Susanna