Obs. or arch. Also 4–5 -ik, 4–7 -ike, 4–9 -ique, 5–6 -yke, -yque, 6–7 icke, icque, 6–8 ick. [ME. theorique in Gower, a. OF. theorique (13th c. in Godef., opposed to pratique practice), prob. repr. a med.L. theōrica, Gr. θεωρική (not recorded in this sense): cf. med.L. theōricus adj. (13th c. in Du Cange) in vita theorica the contemplative life. The place of the stress, as in ca·tholic, is due to Fr. derivation.
(L. *theōricē sb., attributed in the Dicts. to Jerome, is now eliminated as an error, the word being θεολογικήν.)]
A. sb. 1. = THEORY1 4, 5: chiefly in sense 4 b; often opposed to practic or practice. Obs. or arch.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 85. The nature of Philosophie, Which Aristotle … Declareth … As of thre points in principal. Wherof the ferste in special Is Theorique.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 389 b/2. Phylosophye is deuyded in thre in theoryque in practyque and in logyque.
1565. J. Halle, Hist. Expost. (Percy Soc.), 42. Chirurgerye cannot be perfectlye learned wythoute theorike.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., I. i. 52. So that the Art and Practique part of Life, Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. Explan. Words, Theoricke, or Theoretique, contemplative knowledge without action and practise.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. i. 24.
| Vnlesse the Bookish Theoricke: | |
| Wherein the Tongued Consuls can propose | |
| As Masterly as he. |
1720. Strype, Stow’s Surv. (1754), I. I. vi. 32/2. The great French Philosopher Des Cartes … telling us, that, from the Theorique of the Moon, the Moon moves so in her elliptical Orb [etc.].
1830. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. IV. 195. These … matters … may rather be termed the theorique than the practique of reform.
1853. [see PRACTIC sb.1 1].
† b. A theoretical treatise or discourse. Obs.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., Prol. 3. The .4. partie shal ben a theorik to declare the Moeuynge of the celestial bodies with [þe] causes.
† c. pl. Theories: theoretical statements or notions; theory; often opp. to practics or practice.
1551. Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., I. Defin., As they in theyr theorikes (which ar only mind workes) do precisely vnderstand these definitions.
1602. Blundeville (title), The Theoriques of the seuen Planets, shewing all their diuerse motions.
1637. Wotton, Lett. (1907), II. 371. He was … a rare mathematician even … in algebra and the theoriques.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Cornw. (1662), I. 202. Atwell … was well seen in the Theoricks of Physick, and happy in the practise thereof.
† 2. A (mental) view or survey; a conspectus.
1591. Lambarde, Eiren., Proheme, 2. A summarie consideration & Theorique of the whole office belonging to this Iustice. Ibid., I. 4 (heading). The First Booke, containing a Theoricqve [ed. 1602, or insight] of the office of the Iustices of Peace.
† 3. A mechanical device theoretically representing or explaining a natural phenomenon. Obs.
1592. Dee, Comp. Rehears. (Chetham Soc.), 28. Divers other instrumentes as the theorick of the eighth spheare, the nynth and tenth, with an horizon and meridian of copper.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., VI. Introd. (1636), 608. In the Limbe of the backe part is described the Theorique of the Sun, to know therby in what signe and degree the Sun is every day … by laying the Diopter thereto.
1657. W. Rand, trans. Gassendi’s Life Peiresc, I. 145. He caused a mechanicall Theoric [printed Theorie; the L. is theoricen mechanicam] or Instrument to be made … that … the Places of the … Stars might be calculated.
† 4. A man devoted to contemplation or speculation; a member of a contemplative sect of Essenes. (Cf. PRACTIC sb.2) Obs.
1625. T. Godwin, Moses & Aaron, I. xii. 62. Or these Essenes there were two sorts, some Theorikes, giuing themselues wholly to speculation: others Practicks, laborious … in … handy-crafts.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., vii. (1642), 430. The one sect hee names Theoriques or Contemplators.
1798. W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., XXVII. 212. To the theorics, or instructors, a supper only:
† B. adj. 1. = THEORETIC 3, THEORETICAL 2. (Often opp. to practic = practical.) Obs.
1551. Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., I. Defin., This exactnes of definition is more meeter for onlye Theorike speculacion, then for practise and outwarde worke.
1662. Playford, Skill Mus., I. i. (1674), 5. A true Rule of the Theorick part of Musick.
1726. Adv. Capt. R. Boyle (1768), 25. Gardening … I always took Delight in, both Theoric and Practic.
1804. W. Taylor, in Crit. Rev., Ser. III. III. 528. These were daily instructed … both in the theoric and practic parts of the Pythagorean philosophy.
† 2. Knowing or studying the theory of things; theorizing; contemplative, speculative; = THEORETIC a. 2, 3 c, THEORETICAL 1, 3. Obs.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., II. iii. According to our subdivision of a courtier, elementary, practique, and theorique. Your courtier theoric, is he that hath arrived to his farthest, and doth now know the court rather by speculation than practice.
1602. Plat, Delightes for Ladies, Epist. (1605), 3. By fancie framde within a theorique braine.
1632. Massinger & Field, Fatal Dowry, II. i. A man but young, Yet old in judgment; theoric and practic In all humanity.
