PHYSICAL
physical
(adjective) having substance or material existence; perceptible to the senses; “a physical manifestation”; “surrounded by tangible objects”
physical
(adjective) concerned with material things; “physical properties”; “the physical characteristics of the earth”; “the physical size of a computer”
forcible, physical, strong-arm
(adjective) impelled by physical force especially against resistance; “forcible entry”; “a real cop would get physical”; “strong-arm tactics”
physical
(adjective) characterized by energetic bodily activity; “a very physical dance performance”
physical
(adjective) according with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter); “a reflex response to physical stimuli”
physical
(adjective) involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit; “physical exercise”; “physical suffering”; “was sloppy about everything but her physical appearance”
physical
(adjective) relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy; especially physics; “physical sciences”; “physical laws”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
physical (comparative more physical, superlative most physical)
Of medicine.
(obsolete) Pertaining to the field of medicine; medical. [15th–19th c.]
(obsolete) That practises medicine; pertaining to doctors, physicianly. [18th c.]
(obsolete) Medicinal; good for the health, curative, therapeutic. [16th–19th c.]
Of matter or nature.
Pertaining to the world as understood through the senses rather than the mind; tangible, concrete; having to do with the material world. [from 16th c.]
In accordance with the laws of nature; now specifically, pertaining to physics. [from 16th c.]
Denoting a map showing natural features of the landscape (compare political). [from 18th c.]
Of the human body.
Having to do with the body as opposed to the mind; corporeal, bodily. [from 18th c.]
Sexual, carnal. [from 18th c.]
Involving bodily force or contact; vigorous, aggressive. [from 20th c.]
Antonyms
• mental, psychological; having to do with the mind viewed as distinct from body.
Noun
physical (plural physicals)
Physical examination.
Synonyms: checkup, check-up
Source: Wiktionary
Phys"ic*al, 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.
Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in putting objects in
motion. J. S. Mill.
A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.
Macaulay.
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.
3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable
by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical,
characters of a mineral.
4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal;
curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative. [Obs.] "Physical
herbs." Sir T. North.
Is Brutus sick and is it physical To walk unbraced, and suck up the
humors Of the dank morning Shak.
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition