I. ˈmedəsə̇n, chiefly Brit -dsə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English medecine, medicine, from Old French, from Latin medicina, from feminine of medicinus of a physician, medical, from medicus physician + -inus -ine — more at medical
1.
a. : a substance or preparation used in treating disease
b. : a person, agency, or influence that affects well-being
a figure symbolic of strength and perseverance will be good medicine for the whole Western coalition — R.H.Rovere
he's bad medicine — Zane Grey
2. : the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease ; sometimes : the branch of this field concerned with the nonsurgical treatment of disease — distinguished from obstetrics and surgery
3. : a drug or similar substance (as a potion, poison, or elixir) applied to nonmedical use
4.
a. : any of various objects supposed by the No. American Indians to give control over natural or magical forces or to act as a protective or healing charm ; also : magical power or a magical rite
b. : a similar object or agency among other primitive peoples
c. : a potent influence
it's big medicine socially … to have one of these places — Calder Willingham
Synonyms: see remedy
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English medecinen, medicinen, from Middle French medeciner, mediciner, from medecine, medicine, noun
: to give medicine to : work a medicinal effect on
the mixture was smooth and palatable … its gracious flavor medicined his mind to an immediate calm — Elinor Wylie