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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.

Phisic-, Phisitian, n. Also: physic-, physit-, phicisand -iane, -iene, -ioun, -ion(e; phesic-, phesyc-, phesitian; phisision, (physitician; psisitian). [ME. and e.m.E. fisicien (Ancr. R.), -ian, phisician (c 1400), phesycyen (Caxton), -ion, OF. fisicien (1155 in Greimas), f. L. physica Phisik n.] A physician, in the usual senses.

1. A teacher of natural science or of physics. 1560 Bk. Disc. in Knox II. 218.
For the ordinarie stipend of the … mathematiciane phisitiane and morall philosophie [sic in pr.] we think sufficient ane hundreth pundis

2. One possessing knowledge of the diseases of the human body and the ability to treat them by medicine or surgery; a (qualified) medical practitioner.(a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. iv. 42.
In medicyne the most practicianis Lechis surrigianis et phisicianis Thame self fra ded may not supple 1549 Compl. 122/10.
Phicisians 1560 Rolland Seven S. 104, etc.
My ding doctouris Phisitianes and my philosophouris 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 45.
Weil lernit phisicianis quhais conseill in tyme of sic dangeir of lyfe is baith profitable and necessar 1570 Leslie 242.
Thair come ane doctour phisitiane callit Ramsay 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 133.
And na mediciane nor phisitian that will tak on hand to cure nor knawis the nature of hir diseace 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 72/1.
As a goode phisitiane quha man first knau quhat peccant humouris his patient naturallie is maist subiect unto c 1605 Douglas Corr. 191. 1622-6 Bisset II. 178/22. 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 183.
[The minister] is now fallen in a frenzie and hes lyen under the phisicians hands ane quarter of a year 1641 Acts V. 565/2.
Doctour James Challmer phisitiane in ordinarie to his majestie 1644 Ib. VI. i. 89/1.
Doctor Mayne … to goe alongis with the forces that are … goeing to the borderis as phisician to these forces 1649 Cupar Presb. 145.
That committy of lawiers physitians and divynes for the tryall of witches 1672 Old Ross-shire I. 74.
Phisiciane 1687 T. Brown Diary 42.
A muntebank phisitiane came to Kirkwall from Walls(b) c 1420 Liber Calchou 448.
A nobyl tretyse made of a gud phesician … for medicene agayne the pestilens iwyll 1628 Fam. Innes 216.
Phesycian 1662 Lamont Diary 154.
Phesitian 1694 Annandale Corr. 86.
The phesitians have no hopes(c) 1456 Hay II. 135/26.
Phisiciene 1622-6 Bisset II. 294/6.
Sanct Luik the Evangilist … by professioun a phisitiene first of the bodie and theireftir baith of saule and bodie(d) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5526.
Ane phisitioun … namit Ypocras 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. ciii.
Phisiciounis 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 16.
The quene wald not suffer sa mekle as ane phisitioun anis to cum at him 1622 Crim. Trials III. 516.
Vizeiting a patient be a freind or a phisitioun, to wit, graipping of the pulses or chaikillbane and breist quhilk … is the ordiner behauiour vset … be the visitouris of ony patient 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS. 27 April.
It is nocht lesum to onye except phisitiounis and skeillit men to compoise drinkis of herbis(e) 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 54.
Phisitiones 1594 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 505.
[I] collect [that he is a] spirituall man and na phisicion 1636 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 106.
And as the phisicione compts viij drachms in a vnce so it will follow … that [etc.] 1649 Crim. Trials III. 599.
The devill … calling himselff a phisition … said to hir that he had goode salves and namelie oylispek whairwith he wold cure hir dochtir 1698 Annandale Corr. 323.
Phisisions(f) 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 90.
Psisitians(g) 1667 Lauder Jrnl. 173.
Physitician [sic in pr.]

b. Only in pl.: Physicians viewed as an organized body or incorporation.Chiefly in College of Physicians.(1) 1684 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. iii.
And that ther is severall persones of quality upon the accompt of the phisitians hes interposed(2) 1633 Acts V. 53/2.
For incorporating of the doctors of phisick … in ane colledge of phisicianes within the burgh of Edinburgh 1681 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 23.
Ane Colledge of Phisitians which will … tend to the prejudice of the Incorporation of the Chirurgions 1685 Ib. 140.
And that the phisitians have procured … ane patent … for erecting them in ane Colledge of Phisitians and … Sir Robert Sibbald his majesties physitiane in ordinary … to be professor of physick in the said university … and … to teatch the airt of medicen 1685 Acts VIII. 516/2.
Ratification of the charter of erection of the Royall College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1686 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 161.
And because the petition erexerced his employment as chirurgeon appothecary without a licence or advice from a phisitiane … he was therfor conveined befor the Colledge of Phisitians

c. fig. Of Christ: A spiritual healer. — 1554 Knox III. 91.
To … ease the sorowis of our woundit conscience, two plaisteris hath oure maist prudent phisitioun provydit 1587-99 Hume 45/139.
He is the rare physition wise

d. proverb. — 1563-72 Ferg. Tracts 29 (after Luke iv. 23).
Phisition haile thy self