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Webster 1913 Edition

Physical

Phys′ic-al

(fĭz′ĭ-kal)
,
Adj.
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?
Shakespeare
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Physical

PHYS'ICAL

,
Adj.
Pertaining to nature or natural productions, or to material things, as opposed to things moral or imaginary. We speak of physical force or power, with reference to material things; as, muscular strength is physical force; armies and navies are the physical force of a nation; whereas wisdom, knowledge, skill, &c. constitute moral force. A physical point is a real point, in distinction from a mathematical or imaginary point. A physical body or substance is a material body or substance,in distinction from spirit or metaphysical substance.
1.
External; perceptible to the senses; as the physical characters of a mineral; opposed to chimical.
2.
Relating to the art of healing; as a physical treatise.
3.
Having the property of evacuating the bowels; as physical herbs.
4.
Medicinal; promoting the cure of diseases.
5.
Resembling physic; as a physical taste.
[In the three latter senses, nearly obsolete among professional men.]
Physical education, the education which is directed to the object of giving strength, health and vigor to the bodily organs and powers.

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