n.
- the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease (in technical use often taken to exclude surgery).
- a drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease.
- (among North American Indians and some other peoples) a spell, charm, or fetish believed to have healing or magical power.
Phrase
- give someone a dose
(or taste)
of their own medicine
give someone the same bad treatment that they have given to others. - take one's medicine
submit to punishment as being deserved.
Etymology
ME: via OFr. from L. medicina, from medicus ‘physician’.