(philosophy, uncountable, archaic) The field of study of metaphysics.
1876, Editor, "Prefatory Words," Mind, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 5:With reference to general Philosophy or Metaphysic proper, psychology may be viewed as a kind of common ground whereon thinkers of widely different schools may meet.
1775, Samuel Horsley, "An Abridged State of the Weather at London in the Year 1774," Philosophical Transactions (1683-1775), vol. 65, p. 182:The uncertain conclusions of an ill-conducted analogy, and a false metaphysic, were mixed with a few simple precepts derived from observation, which probably made the whole of the science of prognostication in its earliest and purest state.
1954, Frederick_Copleston, "Review of Metaphysical Journal by Gabriel Marcel," Philosophy, vol. 29, no. 109, p. 170:It should be pointed out to the prospective reader that he will not find here the systematic presentation of a metaphysic.
2003, Christine Helmer, "Mysticism and Metaphysics," The Journal of Religion, vol. 83, no. 4, p. 521:A Neoplatonic metaphysic is the flip side of mysticism.
1927, Charles M. Perry, "A Principle for Realism," The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 24, no. 20, p. 537:What we need as a metaphysic and what the logical realists are at least glimpsing, is the principle of contradiction.
