n. [ OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. fysikh`, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. fy`ein to produce, grow, akin to E. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique. ] 1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory or practice of medicine; -- an archaic term, superseded by medicine. [ archaic ] “A doctor of physik.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A physician. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Physic nut (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (Jatropha Curcas), and its seeds, which are well flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Physiced p. pr. & vb. n. Physicking ] 1. To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine to, esp. a cathartic; to operate on as a cathartic; to purge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure. [ 1913 Webster ]

The labor we delight in physics pain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mind diseased no remedy can physic. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in putting objects in motion. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative. [ Obs. ] “Physical herbs.” Sir T. North. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced, and suck up the humors
Of the dank morning? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Philosophy) The doctrine that matter is the only reality.
Syn. -- materialism. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A preoccupation with satisfaction of physical drives and appetites; -- of people.
Syn. -- animalism. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am not now treating physically of light or colors. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. According to the rules of medicine. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He that lives physically must live miserably. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

physicalness n. The quality of being physical; consisting of matter; materiality.
Syn. -- materiality, corporeality. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ OE. fisician, fisicien, OF. physucien, a physician, in F., a natural philosopher, an experimentalist in physics. See Physic. ] 1. A person skilled in medicine, or the art of healing; especially, one trained and licensed to treat illness and prescribe medicines; a doctor of medicine. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

2. Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Licensed as a physician. [ Obs. ] “A physicianed apothecary.” Walpole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with, physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anthropomorphism grows into theology, while physicism (if I may so call it) develops into science. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]