DCHP-1 Online

medicine in Indian parlance

• 1 n. something believed to have power over the forces of nature; magic or supernatural powers believed to have the means of healing or harming.

  See also: strong medicine  

• 2 n. an object or practice believed to endow its owner with power to withstand illness or defeat; a fetish or talisman.

  See also: medicine bag  

• 3a n. make medicine, enter upon certain rituals intended to gain the help of the gods in warding off evil or sickness, in ensuring a good hunt or successful war, in bringing harm to enemies, etc.

• 3b n. Figurative use. See quotes.

• 4 n. Obs. throw medicine, cast a spell over, usually an evil spell, as against enemies in war; seek to bring harm (to).

• 5 n. the secretion from the scent glands of the beaver used as a lure or as an ingredient in a lure.

  See also: beaver medicine