nouns - Difference between a 'medicine' and a 'medicinal'


What is the exact difference between the words "medicine" and "medicinal"?


For medicinal, Free Dictionary states:



"A preparation or product having the properties of a medicine."



But the fact is that a "medicine" is itself a "preparation" or "product" which has curative properties. Is there any particular reason for making a noun out of this adjective?



Answer



Aside from the noun/adjective difference already mentioned, I would say the main difference (in modern usage) between a medicine and a medicinal is that a medicine's primary, inherent use is as a curative. A medicinal, on the other hand, is a substance that is being pressed into service as a curative - it may not normally be viewed as a medicine.


For instance:



  • an antibiotic is a medicine

  • a shot of brandy could be a medicinal, if given to treat shock, etc. (not that that's necessarily a good idea!)


That's the main difference in my mind, but feel free to disagree!


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