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physical

 - 8 dictionary results

phys⋅i⋅cal

  [fiz-i-kuhl]
Use physical in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the body: physical exercise.
2. of or pertaining to that which is material: the physical universe; the physical sciences.
3. noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
4. pertaining to the physical sciences, esp. physics.
5. carnal; sexual: a physical attraction.
6. tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative: a physical person.
7. requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity: Football is a physical sport.
–noun
8. physical examination.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < ML physicālis concerning medicine. See physic, -al 1

Related forms:
phys⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
phys⋅i⋅cal⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. somatic; fleshly. Physical, bodily, corporeal, corporal agree in pertaining to the body. Physical indicates connected with, pertaining to, the animal or human body as a material organism: physical strength, exercise. Bodily means belonging to, concerned with, the human body as distinct from the mind or spirit: bodily pain or suffering. Corporeal, a more poetic and philosophical word than bodily, refers esp. to the mortal substance of which the human body is composed as opposed to spirit: this corporeal habitation. Corporal is now usually reserved for reference to whippings and other punishments inflicted on the human body. 2. tangible, palpable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To physical
phys·i·cal   (fĭz'ĭ-kəl)   
adj.  

    1. Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit. See Synonyms at bodily.

    2. Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity: a physical dance performance.

    3. Slang Involving or characterized by violence: "A real cop would get physical" (TV Guide).

  2. Of or relating to material things: our physical environment.

  3. Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.

n.  A physical examination.

[Middle English phisical, medical, from Medieval Latin physicālis, from Latin physica, physics; see physics.]
phys'i·cal'i·ty (-kāl'ĭ-tē) n., phys'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

physical 
c.1450, "of or pertaining to material nature," from M.L. physicalis "of nature, natural," from L. physica "study of nature" (see physic). Meaning "of the body, corporeal" is attested from 1780. Meaning "characterized by bodily attributes or activities" is attested from 1970. Physical education first recorded 1838; abbreviated form phys ed is from 1955.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1phys·i·cal
Pronunciation: 'fiz-i-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
2 a : of or relating to physics b : characterized or produced by the forces andoperations of physics
3 : of or relating to the body —phys·i·cal·ly /-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2physical
Function: noun
: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

physical phys·i·cal (fĭz'ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Abbr. phys.

  1. Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit.

  2. Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity.

  3. Of or relating to material things.

  4. Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.

n.
A physical examination.
phys'i·cal'i·ty (-kāl'ĭ-tē) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

physical jargon
The opposite of logical in its jargon sense. Compare real, virtual, and transparent.
It is said that what you can touch and see is real; what you can see but not touch is virtual; what you can touch but not see is transparent; and what you can neither touch nor see is probably imaginary.
(2001-10-26)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

physical

see get physical.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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