Chapter 1147

Phy*se"ter (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to blow: cf. F. phys\'82t\'8are .] 1. (Zo\'94l.) The genus that includes the sperm whale.

2. A filtering machine operated by air pressure.

Physianthropy <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*an"thro*py (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + <?/ man.] The philosophy of human life, or the doctrine of the constitution and diseases of man, and their remedies.

Physic <Xpage=1081>

Phys"ic (?) , n. [OE. phisike , fisike , OF. phisique , F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica , physice , fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ natural, from <?/ nature, fr. <?/ 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. <-- obsolete -- superseded by medicine --> "A doctor of physik ."

Chaucer.

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

3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.

4. A physician. [R.]

Shak.

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.

Physic <Xpage=1081>

Phys"ic (?) , 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.

2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure.

The labor we delight in physics pain. Shak.

A mind diseased no remedy can physic . Byron.

Physical <Xpage=1081>

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.

Physically <Xpage=1081>

Phys"ic*al*ly , adv. In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally.

I am not now treating physically of light or colors. Locke.

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

He that lives physically must live miserably. Cheyne.

Physician <Xpage=1081>

Phy*si"cian (?) , n. [OE. fisician , fisicien , OF. physucien , a physician, in F., a natural philosopher, an experimentalist in physics. See Physic .] 1. A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine. <-- one trained and licensed to treat illness and prescribe medicines. -->

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

Physicianed <Xpage=1081>

Phy*si"cianed (?) , a. Licensed as a physician. [Obs.] "A physicianed apothecary."

Walpole.

Physicism <Xpage=1081>

Phys"i*cism (?) , n. The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with, physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion.

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

Physicist <Xpage=1081>

Phys"i*cist (?) , n. One versed in physics.

2. (Biol.) A believer in the theory that the fundamental phenomena of life are to be explained upon purely chemical and physical principles; -- opposed to vitalist .

Physicking <Xpage=1081>

Phys"ick*ing (?) , p. pr. & vb. n. fr. Physic , v. t.

Physico- <Xpage=1081>

Phys"i*co- (?) . [Fr. Gr. <?/ natural, physical.] A combining form, denoting relation to , or dependence upon , natural causes , or the science of physics .

Physicochemical <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co*chem"ic*al (?) , a. [ Physico- + chemical .] Involving the principles of both physics and chemistry; dependent on, or produced by, the joint action of physical and chemical agencies.

Huxley.

Physicologic <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co*log"ic (?) , n. [ Physico- + logic .] Logic illustrated by physics.

Physicological <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co*log"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to physicologic.

Swift.

Physicology <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*col"o*gy (?) , n. [ Physico- + -logy .] Physics. [R.] -- Phys`i*col"o*gist (#) , n. [R.]

Physico-mathematics <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co-math`e*mat"ics (?) , n. [ Physico- + mathematics .] Mixed mathematics.

Physico-philosophy <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co-phi*los"o*phy (?) , n. [ Physico- + philosophy .] The philosophy of nature.

Physico-theology <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*co-the*ol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Physico- + theology .] Theology or divinity illustrated or enforced by physics or natural philosophy.

Physics <Xpage=1081>

Phys"ics (?) , n. [See Physic .] The science of nature, or of natural objects; that branch of science which treats of the laws and properties of matter, and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies; natural philosophy.

&hand; Chemistry , though a branch of general physics , is commonly treated as a science by itself, and the application of physical principles which it involves constitute a branch called chemical physics , which treats more especially of those physical properties of matter which are used by chemists in defining and distinguishing substances.

Physiocrat <Xpage=1081>

Phys"i*o*crat (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + <?/ to rule.] One of the followers of Quesnay of France, who, in the 18th century, founded a system of political economy based upon the supremacy of natural order. F. A. Walker . -- Phys`i*o*crat"ic (#) , a.

Physiogeny <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"e*ny (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + root of <?/ to be born.] (Biol.) The germ history of the functions, or the history of the development of vital activities, in the individual, being one of the branches of ontogeny. See Morphogeny .

Haeckel.

Physiognomer <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"no*mer (?) , n. Physiognomist.

Physiognomic, Physiognomical <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og*nom"ic (?) , Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. physiognomonique .] Of or pertaining to physiognomy; according with the principles of physiognomy. -- Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al*ly , adv.

Physiognomist <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og*nom"ist (?) , n. Same as Physiognomy , 1.

Physiognomist <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"no*mist (?) , n. [Cf. F. physiognomiste .] 1. One skilled in physiognomy.

Dryden.

2. One who tells fortunes by physiognomy.

Holland.

Physiognomize <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"no*mize (?) , v. t. To observe and study the physiognomy of. [R.]

Southey.

Physiognommonic <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og`no*mmon"ic (?) , a. Physiognomic.

Physiognomy <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"no*my (?) , n. ; pl. Physiognomies (#) . [OE. fisonomie , phisonomie , fisnamie , OF. phisonomie , F. physiognomie , physiognomonie , from Gr. <?/; <?/ nature + <?/ one who knows or examines, a judge, fr. <?/, <?/, to know. See Physic , and Know , and cf. Phiz .] 1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper, and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the outward appearance, especially by the features of the face.

2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as denoting character.

3. The art telling fortunes by inspection of the features. [Obs.]

Bale.

4. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without reference to its scientific characteristics; as, the physiognomy of a plant, or of a meteor .

Physiogony <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"o*ny (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + <?/ birth.] The birth of nature. [R.]

Coleridge.

Physiographic, Physiographical <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*o*graph"ic (?) , Phys`i*o*graph"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. physiographique .] Of or pertaining to physiography.

Physiography <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*og"ra*phy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + -graphy : cf. F. physiographie .] The science which treats of the earth's exterior physical features, climate, life, etc., and of the physical movements or changes on the earth's surface, as the currents of the atmosphere and ocean, the secular variations in heat, moisture, magnetism, etc.; physical geography.

Physiolatry <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*ol"a*try (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + <?/ service.] The worship of the powers or agencies of nature; materialism in religion; nature worship. "The physiolatry of the Vedas."

M. Williams.

Physiologer <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*ol"o*ger (?) , n. A physiologist.

Physiologic <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*o*log"ic (?) , a. [L. physiologicus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. physiologique .] Physiological.

Physiological <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*o*log"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to physiology; relating to the science of the functions of living organism; as, physiological botany or chemistry .

Physiologically <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*o*log"ic*al*ly , adv. In a physiological manner.

Physiologist <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*ol"o*gist (?) , n. [Cf. F. physiologiste .] One who is versed in the science of physiology; a student of the properties and functions of animal and vegetable organs and tissues.

Physiologize <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*ol"o*gize (?) , v. i. To speculate in physiology; to make physiological investigations.

Cudworth.

Physiology <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*ol"o*gy (?) , n. ; pl. Physiologies (#) . [L. physiologia , Gr. <?/; <?/ nature + <?/ discourse: cf. F. physiologie .] 1. The science which treats of the phenomena of living organisms; the study of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life.

&hand; It is divided into animal and vegetable physiology , dealing with animal and vegetable life respectively. When applied especially to a study of the functions of the organs and tissues in man, it is called human physiology .

2. A treatise on physiology.

Mental physiology , the science of the functions and phenomena of the mind, as distinguished from a philosophical explanation of the same.

Physiophyly <Xpage=1081>

Phys`i*oph"y*ly (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ nature + <?/ a clan.] (Biol.) The tribal history of the functions, or the history of the paleontological development of vital activities, -- being a branch of phylogeny . See Morphophyly .

Haeckel.

Physique <Xpage=1081>

Phy*sique" (?) , n. [F. See Physic .] The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person.

With his white hair and splendid physique . Mrs. Stowe.

Physnomy <Xpage=1081>

Phys"no*my (?) , n. Physiogmony. [Obs.]

Physoclist <Xpage=1081>

Phys"o*clist , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Physoclisti.

Physoclisti <Xpage=1081>

Phys`o*clis"ti (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a bellows + <?/ to close.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of teleost in which the air bladder has no opening.

Physograde <Xpage=1081>

Phys"o*grade (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a bellows + L. gradi to walk, go.] (Zo\'94l.) Any siphonophore which has an air sac for a float, as the Physalia.

Physophor\'91 <Xpage=1081>

Phy*soph"o*r\'91 (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a bellows + <?/ to bear.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of Siphonophora, furnished with an air sac, or float, and a series of nectocalyces. See Illust . under Nectocalyx .

Physopod <Xpage=1081>

Phy"so*pod (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Physopoda; a thrips.

Physopoda <Xpage=1081>

Phy*sop"o*da (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a bellows + -poda .] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Thysanoptera .

Physostigmine <Xpage=1081>

Phy`so*stig"mine (?) , n. (Chem.) An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean (the seed of Physostigma venenosum ), and extracted as a white, tasteless, substance, amorphous or crystalline; -- formerly called eserine , with which it was regarded as identical.

Physostomi <Xpage=1081>

Phy*sos"to*mi (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a bellows + <?/ mouth.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of fishes in which the air bladder is provided with a duct, and the ventral fins, when present, are abdominal. It includes the salmons, herrings, carps, catfishes, and others.

<page="1082"> Page 1082

Physostomous <Xpage=1082>

Phy*sos"to*mous (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Having a duct to the air bladder. (b) Pertaining to the Physostomi.

Phytelephas <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tel"e*phas (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a plant + <?/ the elephant; also, ivory.] (Bot.) A genus of South American palm trees, the seeds of which furnish the substance called vegetable ivory .

Phytivorous <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tiv"o*rous (?) , a. [ Phyto- + L. vorare to eat greedily.] Feeding on plants or herbage; phytophagous; as, phytivorous animals .

Ray.

Phyto- <Xpage=1082>

Phy"to- (?) . [See Physic .] A combining form from Gr. fyto`n a plant ; as, phyto chemistry, phyto graphy .

Phytochemical <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*chem"ic*al (?) , a. Relating to phytochemistry.

R. Hunt.

Phytochemistry <Xpage=1082>

Phy"to*chem"is*try (?) , n. [ Phyto- + chemistry .] Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable chemistry.

R. Hunt.

Phytochimy <Xpage=1082>

Phy*toch"i*my (?) , n. [F. phytochimie ; Gr. <?/ a plant + F. chimie chemistry.] Phytochemistry. [Obsoles.]

Phytogenesis, Phytogeny <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*gen"e*sis (?) , Phy*tog"e*ny (?) , n. [ Phyto- + genesis , or root of Gr. <?/ to be born.] The doctrine of the generation of plants.

Phytogeographical <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*ge"o*graph"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to phytogeography.

Phytogeography <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*ge*og"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Phyto- + geography .] The geographical distribution of plants.

Phytoglyphic <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*glyph"ic (?) , a. Relating to phytoglyphy.

Phytoglyphy <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tog"ly*phy (?) , n. [ Phyto- + Gr. <?/ to engrave.] See Nature printing , under Nature .

Phytographical <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*graph"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. phytographique .] Of or pertaining to phytography.

Phytography <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tog"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Phyto- + -graphy : cf. F. phytographie .] The science of describing plants in a systematic manner; also, a description of plants.

Phytoid <Xpage=1082>

Phy"toid (?) , a. [ Phyto- + -oid .] Resembling a plant; plantlike.

Phytolacca <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*lac"ca (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ plant + It. lacca lac.] (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants, some of them having berries which abound in intensely red juice; poke, or pokeweed.

Phytolite <Xpage=1082>

Phy"to*lite (?) , n. [ Phyto- + -lite : cf. F. phytolithe .] An old name for a fossil plant.

Phytolithologist <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*li*thol"o*gist (?) , n. One versed in phytolithology; a paleobotanist.

Phytolithology <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*li*thol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Phyto- + lithology .] The branch of science which treats of fossil plants; -- usually called paleobotany , sometimes paleophytology .

Phytological <Xpage=1082>

Phy`to*log"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. phytologique .] Of or pertaining to phytology; botanical.

Phytologist <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tol"o*gist (?) , n. One skilled in phytology; a writer on plants; a botanist.

Evelyn.

Phytology <Xpage=1082>

Phy*tol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Phyto- + -logy : cf. F. phytologie .] The science of plants; a description of the kinds and properties of plants; botany.

Sir T. Browne.

Phytomer, Phytomeron <Xpage=1082>

Phy"to*mer (?) , Phy*tom"e*ron (?) , n. [NL. phytomeron , fr. Gr. <?/ plant + <?/ share.] (Bot.) An organic element of a flowering plant; a phyton.

Phyton <Xpage=1082>