What is "physic nut"

Physic \Phys"ic\, n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. ?, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. ? 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. ``A doctor of physik.''
   --Chaucer.

2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.

3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.

4. A physician. [R.]
   --Shak.

   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.

n. A small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (''Jatropha curcas''), and its seeds, which are well flavoured, but contain an oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities.

n. small tropical American tree yielding purple dye and a tanning extract and bearing physic nuts containing a purgative oil that is poisonous in large quantities [syn: Jatropha curcus]