different between laxative vs physic

English

Etymology

From Middle French laxatif, from Latin lax?t?vus (literally “relaxing, loosening”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?læk.s?.t?v/

Adjective

laxative (comparative more laxative, superlative most laxative)

1. Having the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing constipation.

Translations

See also

• minorative (“gently laxative”)

Noun

laxative (plural laxatives)

1. Any substance, such as a food or in the form of a medicine which has a laxative effect.

Coordinate terms

• carminative – gas
• diuretic — urination

Translations

See also

• minorative (“a gentle laxative”)

French

Adjective

laxative

1. feminine singular of laxatif

English

Alternative forms

• physick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English fysike, from Old French fisike (“natural science, art of healing”), from Latin physica (“study of nature”), from Ancient Greek ?????? (phusik?), feminine singular of ??????? (phusikós, “natural”). Regarding the adjective, compare Latin physicus (“physical, natural”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?z?k/
• Rhymes: -?z?k

Adjective

physic (comparative more physic, superlative most physic)

1. Relating to or concerning existent materials; physical.

Noun

physic (countable and uncountable, plural physics)

1. (archaic, countable) A medicine or drug, especially a cathartic or purgative.
   • 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 34:

     Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief.

   • 1609, King James Version, Sirach 18:19:

     Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.

3. (archaic, uncountable) The art or profession of healing disease; medicine.
   • 1743, Stephen Hales, A Description of Ventilators p. xiii.

     ...and thus draw out all the unwholesome Air and Stench, which does more harm than any Physick can repair.

4. (archaic, uncountable) Natural philosophy; physics.
5. (obsolete) A physician.
   • 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 147:

     Desire is death, which physic did except.

Derived terms

• physician

Verb

physic (third-person singular simple present physics, present participle physicking, simple past and past participle physicked)

1. (transitive) To cure or heal.
2. (transitive) To administer medicine to, especially a purgative.

Anagrams

• scyphi