physic nut
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- small tropical American tree yielding purple dye and a tanning extract and bearing physic nuts containing a purgative oil that is poisonous in large quantitiesSynonyms: physic nutJatropha curcus
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Physic \Phys"ic\ (f[i^]z"[i^]k), n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. fysikh`, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. fy`ein to produce, grow, akin to E. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique.]
1.The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory or practice of medicine; -- an archaic term, superseded by medicine. [archaic] "A doctor of physik." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2.A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine. [1913 Webster]
3.Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic. [1913 Webster]
4.A physician. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Physic nut (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (Jatropha Curcas), and its seeds, which are well flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities. [1913 Webster]