Medicine Meaning
Medicine Definition & Usage
A substance or preparation used in treating illness or injury.
Examples
- "The doctor prescribed some medicine to treat the infection."
- "She took her medicine as instructed to relieve the symptoms."
- "I need to buy some over-the-counter medicine for my cold."
- "After the surgery, he was given strong medicine to ease the pain."
- "The child refused to take his medicine, despite his mother's urging."
The field or practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and disorders in humans and animals.
Examples
- "He studied medicine at a prestigious university for eight years."
- "The advancement of medicine has saved millions of lives in recent decades."
- "In many countries, medical schools are highly competitive to get into."
- "She decided to dedicate her life to the practice of medicine after seeing the effects of healthcare in her community."
- "His work in the field of medicine focuses on infectious diseases and their prevention."
Something that promotes health or well-being in a metaphorical or emotional sense.
Examples
- "Music is the medicine for my soul when I'm feeling down."
- "Her kindness was a medicine for the troubled hearts of the community."
- "Laughter is often said to be the best medicine."
- "He found the quiet solitude of nature to be a perfect medicine for his stress."
- "Reading a good book can sometimes be the best medicine for an anxious mind."
Cultural Context
The word 'medicine' has roots in both the practical and symbolic aspects of healing. Historically, medicine was a combination of empirical knowledge (based on observation and practice) and spiritual or philosophical beliefs. The rise of modern medicine, with its scientific basis, contrasts with earlier views that often combined religious or mystical practices with physical remedies.
The Medicine of the Heart
Story
The Medicine of the Heart
In the quiet town of Eldergrove, a renowned doctor named Dr. Helen Carter had spent decades honing her skills in the art of medicine. Her practice was not just about prescribing pills; it was about understanding her patients, listening to their stories, and providing healing in every sense of the word. She was known to always say, 'Medicine is not just what you put in the body; it's how you treat the soul.' One chilly autumn afternoon, a woman named Clara visited Dr. Carter's office. Clara had been struggling with a persistent illness for months, visiting different doctors with no results. She was physically exhausted, but more than that, she felt emotionally drained. 'I don’t think I need more pills,' she sighed. 'I just want to feel like myself again.' Dr. Carter nodded thoughtfully. 'You’re right. Sometimes the medicine we need is not a pill or a prescription. Sometimes it’s the medicine of the heart.' She gently suggested that Clara take some time off work, visit the countryside, and reconnect with her old passions. Clara was skeptical at first, but she trusted the doctor’s wisdom. Weeks later, Clara returned to the doctor with a brighter outlook. 'It wasn’t a quick fix,' she admitted, 'but your advice worked better than any medicine I’ve ever taken.' Dr. Carter smiled. 'Remember, medicine isn’t just about curing illness; sometimes it’s about treating the cause of the sickness in the first place.' Clara left that day with a prescription for her soul – not a bottle of pills, but a reminder to nourish her emotional well-being. And in the months that followed, she learned to listen to her body and heart, finding balance and peace in ways that no drug could ever provide. The medicine of the heart had healed her just as much as any traditional remedy could.