Physical \Phys"ic*al\ (f[i^]z"[i^]*kal), 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.
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Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in
putting objects in motion. --J. S. Mill.
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A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere
physical force. --Macaulay.
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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.
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3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization;
cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical,
opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.
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4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine;
medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative.
[Obs.] "Physical herbs." --Sir T. North.
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Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced, and suck up the humors
Of the dank morning? --Shak.
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{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.
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