Definition of: medicine

(med′ə·sin) noun
1. A substance possessing, or reputed to possess, curative or remedial properties.
2. The healing art; the science of the preservation of health and of treating disease for the purpose of cure, specifically, as distinguished from surgery or obstetrics.
3. Among North American Indians, any agent or influence used to prevent or cure ills or to invoke supernatural protection or aid, varying from actual remedies (cinchona, etc.) to fetishes, prayers, and symbolic rites (medicine dance, medicine song, etc.); specifically, among the Algonquians, any mystery. See MANITO.
4. Colloq. Something distasteful or unpleasant: to give someone a dose of his own medicine.
5. Obs. Something used for other than healing purposes, as the philosopher's stone, elixirs, poisons, love philters, etc.
—to take one's medicine To endure necessary hardship, discomfort, or punishment, or to do something unpleasant but required. [<L medicina <medicus physician <mederi heal]