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medicine

n.
US //ˈmɛdəsən// UK //mˈɛdsən// medicine
  1. 1 a drug or treatment (n.)
    A2 Elementary Medicine

    a substance like a pill or liquid that you take to feel better when you are sick.

    a pharmaceutical substance or preparation used in the treatment or prevention of disease.

    Example

    The doctor told him to take the medicine twice a day after meals.

    Example

    The patient showed significant improvement after completing the full course of prescribed medicine, despite initial concerns about side effects.
    Pitfall
    I took a medicine for my headache.
    I took some medicine for my headache.

    When talking about the substance in general, 'medicine' is often uncountable. Use 'some medicine' or 'a dose of medicine' instead of 'a medicine'.

  2. 2 the field of study (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic Medicine

    the study of how to treat illnesses and keep people healthy.

    the science and academic discipline concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

    Example

    She wants to study medicine at university and become a surgeon.

    Example

    Advances in modern medicine have dramatically increased life expectancy by eradicating several previously fatal infectious diseases.
    • medical science
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  1. 3 the profession (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Medicine

    the job or work of being a doctor.

    the professional practice of physicians and surgeons as a collective career path.

    Example

    He has spent over thirty years practicing medicine in rural communities.

    Example

    The ethics of medicine require practitioners to prioritize patient welfare above all other professional considerations.
    • medical practice
  2. 4 spiritual or ritual power (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Religion

    traditional or magical objects and rituals used by some cultures for healing or protection.

    ritual magic or sacred objects used in traditional cultures, particularly among Native American peoples, to influence natural or spiritual forces.

    Example

    The tribe used a medicine bag to carry sacred items for protection.

    Example

    The anthropologist documented how the community's traditional medicine integrated herbal remedies with complex spiritual ceremonies.
  3. 5 unpleasant but necessary experience (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    something difficult or unpleasant that you must accept because it will help you later.

    an unpleasant consequence or experience that is perceived as necessary for improvement or correction.

    Example

    He didn't like the criticism, but he knew he had to take his medicine.

    Example

    After the scandal, the company had to take its medicine and pay the heavy fines imposed by the regulator.

    Usage

    Often used in the idiom 'to take one's medicine'.
Origin

From Middle English medicin, from Middle French medicine, from Old French medecine, from Latin medicīna (“the healing art, medicine, a physician's shop, a remedy, medicine”), feminine of medicīnus (“of or belonging to physic or surgery, or to a physician or surgeon”), from medicus (“a physician, surgeon”). The extended sense of "Indigenous magic" is a calque of Ojibwe mashkiki (“medicine”) or mide (or cognates in related languages) when used in compounds such as Grand Medicine Society, medicine lodge, medicine dance, medicine bag, medicine wheel, medicine man, Medicine Line, and bad medicine or place names such as Medicine Hat, Medicine Creek, etc.

Idioms2 entries

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