physical

[fiz-i-kuh l] /ˈfɪz ɪ kəl/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to the body:
physical exercise.
2.
of or pertaining to that which is material:
the physical universe; the physical sciences.
3.
noting or pertaining to the properties of matter and energy other than those peculiar to living matter.
4.
pertaining to the physical sciences, especially physics.
5.
carnal; sexual:
a physical attraction.
6.
tending to touch, hug, pat, etc.; physically demonstrative:
a physical person.
7.
requiring, characterized by, or liking rough physical contact or strenuous physical activity:
Football is a physical sport.
noun
8.
physical examination.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin physicālis concerning medicine. See physic, -al1
Related forms
physically, adverb
physicalness, noun
antiphysical, adjective
antiphysically, adverb
antiphysicalness, noun
nonphysical, adjective
nonphysically, adverb
quasi-physical, adjective
quasi-physically, adverb
transphysical, adjective
transphysically, adverb
unphysical, adjective
unphysically, adverb
Synonyms
1. somatic; fleshly. Physical, bodily, corporeal, corporal agree in pertaining to the body. Physical indicates connected with, pertaining to, the animal or human body as a material organism: physical strength, exercise. Bodily means belonging to, concerned with, the human body as distinct from the mind or spirit: bodily pain or suffering. Corporeal, a more poetic and philosophical word than bodily, refers especially to the mortal substance of which the human body is composed as opposed to spirit: this corporeal habitation. Corporal is now usually reserved for reference to whippings and other punishments inflicted on the human body. 2. tangible, palpable.
British Dictionary definitions for physicals

physicals

/ˈfɪzɪkəlz/
plural noun
1.
(commerce) commodities that can be purchased and used, as opposed to those bought and sold in a futures market Also called actuals

physical

/ˈfɪzɪkəl/
adjective
1.
of or relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind or spirit
2.
of, relating to, or resembling material things or nature: the physical universe
3.
involving or requiring bodily contact: rugby is a physical sport
4.
of or concerned with matter and energy
5.
of or relating to physics
6.
perceptible to the senses; apparent: a physical manifestation
noun
7.
short for physical examination
See also physicals
Derived Forms
physically, adverb
physicalness, noun
Word Origin and History for physicals

physical

adj.

early 15c., "of or pertaining to material nature" (in medicine, opposed to surgical), from Medieval Latin physicalis "of nature, natural," from Latin physica "study of nature" (see physic). Meaning "pertaining to matter" is from 1590s; meaning "having to do with the body, corporeal" is attested from 1780. Meaning "characterized by bodily attributes or activities" is attested from 1970. Physical education first recorded 1838; abbreviated form phys ed is from 1955. Physical therapy is from 1922. Related: Physically.

n.

"a physical examination," by 1934, from physical (adj.).

physicals in Medicine

physical phys·i·cal (fĭz'ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Abbr. phys.

  1. Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit.

  2. Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity.

  3. Of or relating to material things.

  4. Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.

n.
A physical examination.
phys'i·cal'i·ty (-kāl'ĭ-tē) adj.
Slang definitions & phrases for physicals

physical

adjective

Using the body, esp roughly or intimately: Vanderbilt is a lot better than last year and more physical (1970+)

Related Terms

get physical


Idioms and Phrases with physicals

physical

see: get physical