MEDICINE
/ˈmɛd.ɪ.sɪn/Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2024
Meaning
A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way; a pharmaceutical drug.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English medicin, from Middle French medicine, from Old French medecine, from Latin medicīna (“the healing art, medicine, a physician's shop, a remedy, medicine”), feminine of medicīnus (“of or belonging to physic or surgery, or to a physician or surgeon”), from medicus (“a physician, surgeon”). The extended sense of "Indigenous magic" is a calque of Ojibwe mashkiki (“medicine”) or mide (or cognates in related languages) when used in compounds such as Grand Medicine Society, medicine lodge, medicine dance, medicine bag, medicine wheel, medicine man, Medicine Line, and bad medicine or place names such as Medicine Hat, Medicine Creek, etc. Displaced native Old English lybb (“drug, medicine”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: