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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Phisik, -ick(e, n. Also: phys-, phiss- and -ic, -i(c)que, -ike, -eik; phesi(c)k, -yke; pheysick; phescheik. [ME. and e.m.E. fisyke (1297), phisique (Gower), physike, etc., OF. fisique (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. physica, Gk. φυσική.] Physic, in various usual senses and applications.

1. The knowledge, or science, of the phenomenal world; natural philosophy. 1456 Hay I. 67/22.
The gretest clerkis philosophouris naturale … sais in thair naturale science of phisik [etc.] 1560 Bk. Disc. in 1558-66 Knox II. 215.
That nane be admittit to the classe of the medicine bot he that shall have his testimoniall of his tyme weall spent in dialecticque mathematique and phisicque Ib.
Phisique Ib. 212.
Physick 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 12.
Swa in thre ȝeris thyr regentis sal pas be degreis the hail cours of dialectic logic physik and metaphysik

b. The ‘Physics’ of Aristotle. — 1490 Irland Mir. II. 20/28.
Arestotill in the thrid buk of phesik tretis in his twa coordinaciouns of tene gud and tene euill

2. Sorcery; (white) magic. Also in this sense in OF. (Wartburg). c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 401.
Supois that Aristotell … In phisik magik and nicromancy Experience haid

3. The theory of human disease and its treatment; the art or science of medicine.Also attrib. in phisick airt.(1) a1500 Seven S. 617.
Ane famous clerk hecht Ypocras Quhilk of phesik had … gret fame a1500 Bk. Chess 1662.
A vaile gret clerk … In phesik and the sevyne sciens liberall 1533 Boece ii. ix. 75.
Nor of phesik wantit he nocht the knaulege for wysely he vnderstude the nature and strenth of herbis(b) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5528.
In phisick and vther heich science 1637 Dumbarton B. Rec. 52.
To use his calling in the science of phisik, pottingerie and chirurgerie 1675 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II. 91.
An writt book of physick(2) 1494 Loutfut MS. 10 b.
Sua that the maistris of phesik giffis it [gold] till waikit seik folkis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1916 (B).
Be grit doctouris of phesik I heir say that [etc.] c1600 Medical Recipes.
Maisteris of phescheik(b) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 250.
Mercurius … Doctour in phisick cled in ane skarlot goun And furrit weill 1605 Laing MSS. I. 103.
[He] is y[it] vndir medicine and haid ane doctor of phisik with him 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 334.
Mr. Wm. Johnstone doctor in phisick and professor of mathematics 1630 Misc. New Spald. C. I. 154.
Leslie, Mr. Williame, doctor in phisick ex gratia 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 37.
He wes a publict professor of phisick at Montpelior 1633 Acts V. 53/2.
For incorporating of the doctors of phisick … in ane colledge of phisicianes within the burgh of Edinburghattrib. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5538.
Galiene … excellit his vncle … In phisick airt and into medicene

4. The art or practice of healing; treatment by medical care or remedies. = Medicin(e n.¹ 1.(1) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 34.
To help be phisike quhair that nature faillit I am expert for baith I haue assailit a1500 Bk. Chess 1665.
Without the quhilk sevyne sciens no man sall Be sufficiant the cur on hand to tak Off phesik 1549 Compl. 46/7.
Siklyik phisic astronomye and natural philosophie var fyrst prettikit and doctrinet be vs that ar scheiphirdis 1558-66 Knox I. 175.
Qwyetnes after the reuillis of phisick … was requisite 1589 Cal. Sc. P. X. 133.
The seik consulted them that war skeilful in phiseik 1590–1 Crim. Trials I. ii. 231.
And declaring that na cherurgeanrie nor phisic could help him 1597 Ib. II. 29.
Be na naturall meanis of phisik 1622-6 Bisset II. 373/1.
Na medicionell ingyne of man mycht nor could cuir him be phisik 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 618. 1662 Edinb. B. Rec. IX. 299.
[The council] graunts libertie to … mountebanks to sett up a stage … for showing of his skill in physick(2) c1500 Fyve Bestes 187.
Of phesik he baire ane vrynale

b. Medical practice, personified; practitioners of medicine, collectively. c1450-2 Howlat 706 (A).
Mony sawouris sals … And confectionis on force that phisik [B. phesick] furth furis

c. Under (the cure of) phisik, under medical care; receiving medical treatment. — 1615 Denmylne MSS. in Highland P. III. 242.
I wes forced to … fall af my horss … and lay for the space of xv^th dayes … vnder the cure of phisik — 1657 Laing MSS. I. 308.
I continowe still werrie unwell and ame under phissike and dyett drinks 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 206. 1689 Melville Corr. 142.
Being under phisike … I cannot goe presently to [etc.]

5. Substances or preparations used to cure disease, collectively; medicine. b. A particular medicine. 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. A. iiij b.
The wyse and trustie medecineris … do not luke sa mekle in ministratioun of thair phisik 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 75.
For commodious taking of phisicke for his helth 1582 Cal. Sc. P. VI. 187.
Phesyke 1610 Reg. Privy C. IX. 565.
We haif ever bene moir cairfull to minister phisik for cureing of the disease then onywayes to cutt of the member 1633 Maxwell Mem. II. 234.
No stranger to give phisik without thair approbatioun 1662 Highland P. III. 29.
Memo that N^cConaghy Barmoire uses phisik and charmes 1679 Cunningham Diary iii.
For physick to take at homeb. 1653 1st Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 277.
I hawe prescryved ane excellent lenitiwe physik

6. fig. A spiritual or moral remedy; a cure for trouble. = Medicin(e n.¹ 3. 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 469.
[Some … resolution in our affairs … will serve more to our entire health than all other] phesik [in the world] 1634 Fugitive Poetry II. ix. 13/5.
Who to the sowle-sick phisick could prescrive

7. Phisik ga(i)rden, a garden for the cultivation of medicinal plants [17th c. Eng. physicke garden (1637)]Chiefly in references to the garden founded by the Edinburgh Medical School c 1670. For some further information see Comrie Hist. Sc. Medic. I. 183–4. 1684 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. .
That the pheysick gairden sett in tack to Mr. James Sutherland herbister … most be inlairged Ib. 112.
Physick gairden 1695 Ib. XII. 168.
That Mr. James Sutherland master of the physic garden in Edinburgh hes been at great paines … in bringing of forraigne plants and seeds c1700 A. Pennecuik Wks. (1815) 169. 1704 Glasg. Univ. Mun. III. 512.
Some parts of their great yard for botany and a physick garden