A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1580, 1633-1677
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Phisical, a. Also: phisicall and phys-. [e.m.E. and ME. phisichal (Lydgate), physical(l (1576), med. L. physicālis, f. physica Phisik n.] a. Beneficial to health; remedial; curative. Also fig. b. Of or belonging to medicine; medical. Phisical garden = phisik garden Phisik n. 7. —a. 1580 Skeyne Descr. Well 2.
The profeit and phisical vertew of ane fontaine hes bene obseruit … at Abirdene 1635 Dickson Wr. 41.
If he [God] gives a bitter cup it is physical c1650 Spalding II. 293.
Ane Doctor Pont … sold certan balmes oyllis and vther phisicall oyntmentis quhairof he maid gryte gane —b. 1633 Analecta Scotica II. 129.
And punish all persones who shall presume to practise … or ordaine physicall praescriptiones … being not members of the said college — 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 291.
The laudable … designe of a phisicall gardin within this citie
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"Phisical adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/phisical>
