theoric

plural theorics

1. obsoleteTheory, as opposed to practice.First known use 14th–19th c.

   So that the art and practic part of life Must be the mistress to this theoric

   1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

   2 more examples

   We travel into Italie to learne the art of fencing, and practise it at the cost of our lives, before we know it; it were requisite, according to the order of true discipline, we should preferre the theorike before the practike.

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 27, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

   Jucundus[…]confesseth of himself, that he was mightily delighted with these husbandry studies, and took extraordinary pleasure in them: if the theoric or speculation can so much affect, what shall the place and exercise, the practic part, do?

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 2, member 4

comparative more theoric · superlative most theoric

1. obsoleteRelating to, or skilled in, theory; theoretical.

   A man but young, / Yet old in judgment, theoric and practic / In all humanity

   1619, Philip Massinger, Nathan Field, The Fatal Dowry

2. Relating to the Ancient Greek Theorica.