I. ˈfiziks, -zēks noun plural but usually singular in construction
Etymology: physics plural of physic (intended as translation of Latin physica, neuter plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos natural); physic from Middle English phisik, fisike medical science, natural science, from Old French phisike, fisique, from Latin physica, feminine singular, study of nature, from Greek physikē, from feminine of physikos natural, from physis nature + -ikos -ic; akin to Greek phylē tribe, clan, phyein to bring forth — more at be
1. physic noun singular
a. : the art or practice of healing diseases : the science of therapeutics : the practice or profession of medicine ; also archaic : medical science : the theory of diseases and their treatment
b. obsolete : medical treatment ; also : a health-giving or curative practice or regimen
c.
(1) : a remedy for disease : a medicinal agent or preparation ; especially : a medicine (as a laxative) that purges
(2) obsolete : a mental, moral, or spiritual medicine
2. also physic archaic : natural science
3.
a. : a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions in the fields of mechanics, acoustics, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear phenomena
b. : a particular system or branch of physics
classical physics
nuclear physics
4. : a treatise or manual of physics
left his physics on the bench
5.
a. : physical processes and phenomena (as of a particular system)
physics of the living cell
b. : the physical properties and composition of something
the physics of different soils
the study of marine physics
Synonyms: see remedy
II.
present third singular of physic