Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Physical?

\Phys"ic*al\, a. 1. Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created existences); in accordance with the laws of nature; also, of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and navies are the physical force of a nation; the body is the physical part of man. Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in putting objects in motion. --J. S. Mill. A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force. --Macaulay. 2. Of or pertaining to physics, or natural philosophy; treating of, or relating to, the causes and connections of natural phenomena; as, physical science; physical laws. ``Physical philosophy.'' --Pope. 3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral. 4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative. [Obs.] ``Physical herbs.'' --Sir T. North. Is Brutus sick? and is it physical To walk unbraced, and suck up the humors Of the dank morning? --Shak. {Physical astronomy}, that part of astronomy which treats of the causes of the celestial motions; specifically, that which treats of the motions resulting from universal gravitation. {Physical education}, training of the bodily organs and powers with a view to the promotion of health and vigor. {Physical examination} (Med.), an examination of the bodily condition of a person. {Physical geography}. See under {Geography}. {Physical point}, an indefinitely small portion of matter; a point conceived as being without extension, yet having physical properties, as weight, inertia, momentum, etc.; a material point. {Physical signs} (Med.), the objective signs of the bodily state afforded by a physical examination.