medicine
UK: ˈmed.sən | US: ˈmed.ɪ.sən
n. a substance or preparation used to treat or prevent disease
n. the science or practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease
n. (archaic) a remedy or spell believed to have magical healing properties
The word medicine traces back to Latin medicina (the art of healing), itself from medicus (physician). The root med- reflects the Indo-European concept of "measuring" or "taking appropriate measures," later specialized to "healing." Over time, medicine expanded from magical remedies to a systematic science, retaining its core association with healing.
Modern medicine has made significant advances in treating chronic diseases.
She studied medicine at Harvard University.
The tribal elder prepared a traditional medicine from herbs.
In medieval Europe, medicine often blended science and superstition.
The doctor prescribed a new medicine for his patient’s infection.