1 the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, esp. as distinct from surgical methods.
2 any drug or preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease, esp. one taken by mouth.
3 a spell, charm, or fetish which is thought to cure afflictions.
Phrases and idioms:
a dose (or taste) of one's own medicine treatment such as one is accustomed to giving others. medicine ball a stuffed leather ball thrown and caught for exercise. medicine chest a box containing medicines etc. medicine man a person believed to have magical powers of healing, esp. among N. American Indians. take one's medicine submit to something disagreeable.
Etymology: ME f. OF medecine f. L medicina f. medicus: see MEDIC(1)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.