a. and sb. Forms: 4–5 artetyke, -ik, 6 arthetyke, -ycke, 7–8 arthritick, 8– arthritic. [orig. a. OF. artetique, corrupt ad. L. arthrīticus, a. Gr. ἀρθρῑτικός, f. ἄρθρον joint. Gradually altered back to the L. and Gr. form.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to diseased joints; spec. gouty.
1366. Maundev., xxxi. 315. Gowtes artetykes, that me distreynen.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., II. iv. 19. Good for goutes arthetyke of the fete.
1651. Biggs, New Dispens., ¶ 256. The sciatica, and Arthritick pains.
1785. Cowper, Task, I. 105. Pangs arthritic that infest the toe Of libertine excess.
2. Causing gout. rare.
1713. Lond. & Country Brew., I. (1742), 67. Adulterated, tartarous, arthritic Wines.
† 3. Good against gout or affections of the joints.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., V. 145. Remedies … made of capital and arthritik simples.
1752. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Water, Arthritic Waters are waters good against the gout.
B. sb. † a. Affection of the joints, gout (obs.). b. A person subject to the gout.
[1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. lvi. (1495), 270. Arthetica is an ache and euyl in the fyngres and toes.]
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Hawking, C iiij b. A medecine for an hauke that has the artetik.
1801. E. Darwin, Zoon., IV. 215. Seized with the gout in a degree that none but arthritics … can easily conceiue.
