physical

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin physicālis, from Latin physica (“study of nature”), from Ancient Greek φυσική (phusikḗ), feminine singular of φυσικός (phusikós, “natural; physical”), from φύσις (phúsis, “origin, birth; nature, quality; form, shape; type, kind”), from φῠ́ω (phúō, “grow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to appear, become, rise up”).

adj

1. Of medicine.
   1. (obsolete) Pertaining to the field of medicine; medical.
   2. (obsolete) That practises medicine; pertaining to doctors, physicianly.
   3. (obsolete) Medicinal; good for the health, curative, therapeutic.
      Phisicall [translating φαρμακώδεις (pharmakṓdeis)] herbes, as Helleborum, Lingewort, or Beares foote. 1579, Thomas North, translating Pliny, Parallel Lives
2. Of matter and nature.
   1. Pertaining to the world as understood through the senses rather than the mind; tangible, concrete; real. Having to do with the material world.
      In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result. 2013-05-25, “No hiding place”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8837, page 74
      It's not so much a physical place as a state of mind.
   2. In accordance with the laws of nature; now specifically, pertaining to physics.
      Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. 2012-01, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 2013-04-30, page 86
      The substance has a number of interesting physical properties.
   3. Denoting a map showing natural features of the landscape (compare political).
3. Of the human body.
   1. Having to do with the body as opposed to the mind; corporeal, bodily.
      Are you feeling any physical effects?
   2. Sexual, carnal.
   3. Involving bodily force or contact; vigorous, aggressive.
      This team plays a very physical game, so watch out.

noun

1. Physical examination.
   How long has it been since your last physical?
2. (parapsychology) A physical manifestation of psychic origin, as through ectoplasmic solidification.