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phys·i·cal (fĭzĭ-kəl)
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adj.
1.
a. Of or relating to the body. See Synonyms at bodily.
b. Having a physiological basis or origin: a physical craving for an addictive drug.
c. Involving sexual interest or activity: a physical attraction; physical intimacy.
2.
a. Involving or characterized by vigorous or forceful bodily activity: physical aggression; a fast and physical dance performance.
b. Slang Involving or characterized by violence: "A real cop would get physical" (TV Guide).
3. Of or relating to material things: a wall that formed a physical barrier; the physical environment.
4. Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics.
n.
A physical examination.

[Middle English phisical, medical, from Medieval Latin physicālis, from Latin physica, physics; see PHYSICS.]

physi·cali·ty (-kălĭ-tē) n.
physi·cal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.