I. ˈfi-zi-kəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English phisicale medical, from Medieval Latin physicalis, from Latin physica
Date: 1580
1.
a. : of or relating to natural science
b.
(1) : of or relating to physics
(2) : characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
2.
a. : having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
everything physical is measurable by weight, motion, and resistance — Thomas De Quincey
b. : of or relating to material things
labor, in the physical world, is…employed in putting objects in motion — J. S. Mill
3.
a. : of or relating to the body
physical abuse
b.
(1) : concerned or preoccupied with the body and its needs : carnal
physical appetites
(2) : sexual
a physical love affair
physical attraction
c. : characterized by especially rugged and forceful physical activity : rough
a physical hockey game
a physical player
Synonyms: see material
• phys·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē adverb
• phys·i·cal·ness -kəl-nəs noun
II. noun
Date: 1934
: physical examination