The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section P and Q

Chapter 34

Chapter 343,871 wordsPublic domain

Pho"to*sphere (?), n. [Photo- + sphere.] A sphere of light; esp., the luminous envelope of the sun.

Pho`to*spher"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to the photosphere.

Pho*tot"o*nus (?), n. [NL. See Photo- , and Tone.] (Bot.) A motile condition in plants resulting from exposure to light. -- Pho`to*ton"ic (#), a.

Pho`to*trop"ic (?), a. [Photo- + Gr. &?; to turn.] (Bot.) Same as Heliotropic.

Pho"to*type (?), n. [Photo- + -type.] A plate or block with a printing surface (usually in relief) obtained from a photograph; also, any one of the many methods of processes by which such a printing surface is obtained.

Pho`to*typ"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to a phototype or phototypy.

Pho`to*ty*pog"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + typography.] Same as Phototypy.

Pho*tot"y*py (?), n. The art or process of producing phototypes.

Pho`to*xy*log"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + xylography.] The process of producing a representation of an object on wood, by photography, for the use of the wood engraver.

Pho`to*zin"co*graph (?), n. A print made by photozincography. -- Pho`to*zin`co*graph"ic, a.

Pho`to*zin*cog"ra*phy (?), n. [Photo- + zincography.] A process, analogous to photolithography, for reproducing photographed impressions transferred to zinc plate.

Phrag"mo*cone (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a fence, an inclosure + &?; a cone.] (Zoˆl.) The thin chambered shell attached to the anterior end of a belemnite. [Written also phragmacone.]

Phrag`mo*si"phon (?), n. (Zoˆl.) The siphon of a phragmocone.

Phras"al (?), a. Of the nature of a phrase; consisting of a phrase; as, a phrasal adverb. Earlc.

Phrase (?), n. [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to speak.] 1. A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.

"Convey" the wise it call. "Steal!" foh! a fico for the phrase.

Shak.

2. A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human.

3. A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression. "Phrases of the hearth." Tennyson.

Thou speak'st In better phrase and matter than thou didst.

Shak.

4. (Mus.) A short clause or portion of a period.

A composition consists first of sentences, or periods; these are subdivided into sections, and these into phrases.

Phrase book, a book of idiomatic phrases. J. S. Blackie.

Phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Phrased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Phrasing.] [Cf. F. phraser.] To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style. "These suns -- for so they phrase 'em." Shak.

Phrase, v. i. 1. To use proper or fine phrases. [R.]

2. (Mus.) To group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well. See Phrase, n., 4.

Phrase"less, a. Indescribable. Shak.

Phra"se*o*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?; a phrase + -gram.] (Phonography) A symbol for a phrase.

{ Phra`se*o*log"ic (?), Phra`se*o*log"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phraseology; consisting of a peculiar form of words. "This verbal or phraseological answer." Bp. Pearson.

Phra`se*ol"o*gist (?), n. A collector or coiner of phrases.

Phra`se*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, phrase + -logy: cf. F. phrasÈologie.] 1. Manner of expression; peculiarity of diction; style.

Most completely national in his . . . phraseology.

I. Taylor.

2. A collection of phrases; a phrase book. [R.]

Syn. -- Diction; style. See Diction.

Phras"ing (?), n. 1. Method of expression; association of words.

2. (Mus.) The act or method of grouping the notes so as to form distinct musical phrases.

Phra"try (?), n.; pl. Phratries (#). [Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Gr. Antiq.) A subdivision of a phyle, or tribe, in Athens.

Phre*at"ic (?), a. [F. phrÈatique, from Gr. &?;, &?;, a well.] (Geol.) Subterranean; -- applied to sources supplying wells.

{ Phre*net"ic (?), Phre*net"ic*al (?), } a. [L. phreneticus, Gr. &?;, &?;: cf. F. phrÈnÈtique. See Frantic, and cf. Frenetic.] Relating to phrenitis; suffering from frenzy; delirious; mad; frantic; frenetic. -- Phre*net"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phre*net"ic, n. One who is phrenetic. Harvey.

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Phren"ic (?), a.[Gr. &?;, &?;, the midriff, or diaphragm, the heart, the mind: cf. F. phrÈnique.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the diaphragm; diaphragmatic; as, the phrenic nerve.

Phren"ics (?), n. That branch of science which relates to the mind; mental philosophy. [R.]

Phre"nism (?), n. [See Phrenic.] (Biol.) See Vital force, under Vital.

||Phre*ni"tis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;.] 1. (Med.) ||Inflammation of the brain, or of the meninges of the brain, attended ||with acute fever and delirium; -- called also cephalitis.

2. See Frenzy.

Phre"no*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the migriff + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for registering the movements of the diaphragm, or midriff, in respiration.

Phre*nol"o*ger (?), n. A phrenologist.

Phren`o*log"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. phrÈnologique.] Phrenological.

Phren`o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to phrenology. -- Phren`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

Phre*nol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. phrÈnologiste.] One versed in phrenology; a craniologist.

Phre*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the mind + -logy: cf. F. phrÈnologie.] 1. The science of the special functions of the several parts of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the brain.

2. In popular usage, the physiological hypothesis of Gall, that the mental faculties, and traits of character, are shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.

Gall marked out on his model of the head the places of twenty-six organs, as round inclosures with vacant interspaces. Spurzheim and Combe divided the whole scalp into oblong and conterminous patches. Encyc. Brit.

Phre`no*mag"net*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the mind + E. magnetism.] The power of exciting the organs of the brain by magnetic or mesmeric influence.

Phre"no*sin (?), n. [See Phrenic.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous body, related to cerebrin, supposed to exist in the brain.

Phren"sied (?), p. p. & a. See Frenzied.

Phren"sy (?), n. Violent and irrational excitement; delirium. See Frenzy.

Phren"sy, v. t. To render frantic.

Phren"tic (?), n. & a. See Phrenetic. [Obs.]

Phry*ga"ne*id (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Any insect belonging to the Phryganeides.

||Phryg`a*ne"i*des (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Phryganea, the typical genus, ||fr. Gr. &?; a dry stick.] (Zoˆl.) A tribe of neuropterous insects ||which includes the caddice flies; -- called also Trichoptera. See ||Trichoptera. [Written also Phryganides.]

Phryg"i*an (?), a. [L. Phrygius, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Phrygia, a country of Asia Minor.] Of or pertaining to Phrygia, or to its inhabitants.

Phrygian mode (Mus.), one of the ancient Greek modes, very bold and vehement in style; -- so called because fabled to have been invented by the Phrygian Marsyas. Moore (Encyc. of Music). -- Phrygian stone, a light, spongy stone, resembling a pumice, -- used by the ancients in dyeing, and said to be drying and astringent.

Phryg"i*an, n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Phrygia.

2. (Eccl. Hist.) A Montanist.

Phthal"ate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of phthalic acid.

Phthal"e*in (?), n. [See Phthalic.] (Chem.) One of a series of artificial organic dyes made as condensation products of the phenols with phthalic acid, and well represented by phenol phthaleÔn. Their alkaline solutions are fluorescent.

Phenol phthalein, a white or yellowish white crystalline substance made from phthalic acid and phenol. Its solution in alkalies is brilliant red, but is decolorized by acids, and as this reaction is exceedingly delicate it is used as an indicator.

Phthal"ic (?), a. [Naphthalene + -ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a dibasic acid obtained by the oxidation of naphthalene and allied substances.

Phthalic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, C6H4.(CO2H)2, analogous to benzoic acid, and employed in the brilliant dyestuffs called the phthaleins.

Phthal"ide (?), n. [Phthalyl + anhydride.] (Chem.) A lactone obtained by reduction of phthalyl chloride, as a white crystalline substance; hence, by extension, any one of the series of which phthalide proper is the type. [Written also phthalid.]

Phthal"i*mide (?), n. [Phthalic + imide.] (Chem.) An imido derivative of phthalic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance, C6H4.(CO)2NH, which has itself (like succinimide) acid properties, and forms a series of salts. Cf. Imido acid, under Imido.

Phthal"in (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance obtained by reduction from phthaleÔn, into which it is easily converted by oxidation; hence, any one of the series of which phthalin proper is the type.

Phthal"yl (?), n. [Phthalic + -yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical of phthalic acid.

||Phthi*ri"a*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; louse.] (Med.) A ||disease (morbus pediculous) consisting in the excessive ||multiplication of lice on the human body.

Phthis"ic (?), n. Same as Phthisis.

Phthis"ic*al (?), a. [L. phthisicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. phthisique. See Phthisis.] Of or pertaining to phthisis; affected with phthisis; wasting; consumptive.

Phthis"ick*y (?), a. Having phthisis, or some symptom of it, as difficulty in breathing.

Phthis`i*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Phthisis + -logy.] (Med.) A treatise on phthisis. Dunglison.

{ ||Phthis`ip*neu*mo"ni*a (?), Phthis`ip*neu"mo*ny (?), } n. [NL. See Phthisis, Pneumonia.] (Med.) Pulmonary consumption.

Phthi"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to pass or waste away: cf. F. phthisie.] (Med.) A wasting or consumption of the tissues. The term was formerly applied to many wasting diseases, but is now usually restricted to pulmonary phthisis, or consumption. See Consumption.

Fibroid phthisis. See under Fibroid.

Phthon"gal (?), a. [Gr. &?; voice.] Formed into, or characterized by, voice; vocalized; -- said of all the vowels and the semivowels, also of the vocal or sonant consonants g, d, b, l, r, v, z, etc.

Phthon"gal, n. A vocalized element or letter.

Phthon*gom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; voice + -meter.] An instrument for measuring vocal sounds. Whewell.

Phthor (?), n. [F. phthore, Gr. &?; to destroy.] (Old Chem.) Fluorine. [Written also phthor.]

Phy"cite (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed.] (Chem.) See Erythrite, 1.

Phy"co*chrome (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + &?; color.] (Bot.) A bluish green coloring matter of certain algÊ.

{ Phy`co*cy"a*nin (?), Phy`co*cy"a*nine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + E. cyanin.] A blue coloring matter found in certain algÊ.

{ Phy`co*e*ryth"rin (?), Phy`co*e*ryth"rine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + E. erythrin, - ine.] A red coloring matter found in algÊ of the subclass FlorideÊ.

Phy*cog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + -graphy.] A description of seaweeds.

Phy*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + -logy.] The science of algÊ, or seaweeds; algology.

||Phy`co*ma"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; seaweed + L. mater mother.] ||(Bot.) A gelatin in which the algÊ spores have been supposed to ||vegetate.

Phy`co*phÊ"ine (?), n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + (&?;) dusky.] A brown coloring matter found in certain algÊ.

{ Phy`co*xan"thin (?), Phy`co*xan"thine (?), } n. [Gr. &?; seaweed + &?; yellow.] A yellowish coloring matter found in certain algÊ.

Phy*lac"ter (?), n. A phylactery. Sandys.

Phy*lac"tered (?), a. Wearing a phylactery.

{ Phyl`ac*ter"ic (?), Phyl`ac*ter"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to phylacteries.

Phy*lac"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Phylacteries (#). [OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylactËre, L. phylacterium, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a watcher, guard, &?; to watch, guard. Cf. Philatory.] 1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.

2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.

Phy*lac"to*carp (?), n. [Gr. &?; to guard + &?; fruit.] (Zoˆl.) A branch of a plumularian hydroid specially modified in structure for the protection of the gonothecÊ.

{ ||Phy*lac`to*lÊ"ma (?), ||Phy*lac`to*lÊ"ma*ta (?), } n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to guard + &?; the gullet.] (Zoˆl.) An order of fresh-water Bryozoa in which the tentacles are arranged on a horseshoe-shaped lophophore, and the mouth is covered by an epistome. Called also Lophopoda, and hippocrepians.

Phy*lac`to*lÊ"ma*tous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Of or pertaining to the PhylactolÊma.

{ ||Phy*lac`to*le"ma (?), ||Phy*lac`to*le"ma*ta (?), } n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) Same as PhylactolÊma.

Phy"larch (?), n. [L. phylarchus, Gr. &?;. See Phyle, and -arch.] (Gr. Antiq.) The chief of a phyle, or tribe.

Phy"larch*y (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] The office of a phylarch; government of a class or tribe.

||Phy"le (?), n.; pl. PhylÊ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a body of men united ||by ties of blood or habitation.] A local division of the people in ||ancient Athens; a clan; a tribe.

Phyl"lite (?), n. [See Phylo-.] (Min.) (a) A mineral related to ottrelite. (b) Clay slate; argillaceous schist.

Phyl"lo- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?; a leaf; as, phyllopod, phyllotaxy.

||Phyl`lo*bran"chi*a (?), n.; pl. PhyllobranciÊ (#). [NL. See Phyllo-, ||and Branchia.] (Zoˆl.) A crustacean gill composed of lamellÊ.

||Phyl`lo*cla"di*um (?), n.; pl. Phyllocladia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a ||leaf + &?; a sprout.] (Bot.) A flattened stem or branch which more or ||less resembles a leaf, and performs the function of a leaf as regards ||respiration and assimilation.

Phyl`lo*cy"a*nin (?), n. [Phyllo- + cyanin.] (Chem.) A blue coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll. [Written also phyllocyanine.]

Phyl"lo*cyst (?), n. [Phyllo- + cyst.] (Zoˆl.) The cavity of a hydrophyllium.

Phyl"lode (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Phyllodium.

Phyl`lo*din"eous (?), a. (Bot.) Having phyllodia; relating to phyllodia.

||Phyl*lo"di*um (?), n.; pl. Phyllodia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; leaflike; ||&?; leaf + &?; form.] (Bot.) A petiole dilated into the form of a ||blade, and usually with vertical edges, as in the Australian acacias.

Phyl"lo*dy (?), n. [See Phyllodium.] (Bot.) A retrograde metamorphosis of the floral organs to the condition of leaves.

Phyl"loid (?), a. [Phyllo- + - oid.] Resembling a leaf.

Phyl`lo*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Phyllo- + mania.] (Bot.) An abnormal or excessive production of leaves.

Phyl"lome (?), n. [Gr. &?; foliage, fr. &?; a leaf.] (Bot.) A foliar part of a plant; any organ homologous with a leaf, or produced by metamorphosis of a leaf.

||Phyl`lo*mor*pho"sis (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, Morphosis.] (Bot.) The ||succession and variation of leaves during different seasons. R. ||Brown.

Phyl*loph"a*gan (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to eat.] (Zoˆl.) (a) One of a group of marsupials including the phalangists. (b) One of a tribe of beetles which feed upon the leaves of plants, as the chafers.

Phyl*loph"a*gous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Substituting on leaves; leaf- eating.

Phyl*loph"o*rous (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Bot.) Leaf-bearing; producing leaves.

Phyl"lo*pod (?), n. (Zoˆl.) One of the Phyllopoda. [Also used adjectively.]

||Phyl*lop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a leaf + -poda.] (Zoˆl.) ||An order of Entomostraca including a large number of species, most of ||which live in fresh water. They have flattened or leaflike legs, ||often very numerous, which they use in swimming. Called also ||Branchiopoda.

In some, the body is covered with a bivalve shell (Holostraca); in others, as Apus, by a shield-shaped carapace (Monostraca); in others, like Artemia, there is no carapace, and the body is regularly segmented. Sometimes the group is made to include also the Cladocera.

Phyl*lop"o*dous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Of or pertaining to the Phyllopoda.

Phyl"lo*rhine (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the nose.] (Zoˆl.) Of or pertaining to Phyllorhina and other related genera of bats that have a leaflike membrane around the nostrils.

||Phyl`lo*so"ma (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, and -some body.] (Zoˆl.) The ||larva of the spiny lobsters (Palinurus and allied genera). Its body ||is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent; the legs are very long. ||Called also glass-crab, and glass- shrimp.

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Phyl"lo*stome (fl"l*stm), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. sto`ma mouth.] (Zoˆl.) Any bat of the genus Phyllostoma, or allied genera, having large membranes around the mouth and nose; a nose-leaf bat.

Phyl*los"to*mid (?), n. A phyllostome.

Phyl`lo*tac"tic (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to phyllotaxy.

{ Phyl"lo*tax`y (?), Phyl"lo*tax`is (?), } n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ta`xis order.] (Bot.) The order or arrangement of leaves on the stem; the science of the relative position of leaves.

Phyl"lous (?), a. (Bot.) Homologous with a leaf; as, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils are phyllous organs.

Phyl`lo*xan"thin (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; yellow.] (Bot.) A yellow coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll.

Phyl`lox*e"ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; leaf + &?; dry.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A small hemipterous insect (Phylloxera vastatrix) allied to the aphids. It attacks the roots and leaves of the grapevine, doing great damage, especially in Europe.

It exists in several forms, some of which are winged, other wingless. One form produces galls on the leaves and twigs, another affects the roots, causing galls or swellings, and often killing the vine.

2. The diseased condition of a vine caused by the insect just described.

{ Phy`lo*gen"e*sis (?), Phy*log"e*ny (?), } n. [Gr. &?; tribe + E. genesis, or root of Gr. &?; to be born.] The history of genealogical development; the race history of an animal or vegetable type; the historic exolution of the phylon or tribe, in distinction from ontogeny, or the development of the individual organism, and from biogenesis, or life development generally.

Phy*lo*ge*net"ic (?), a. Relating to phylogenesis, or the race history of a type of organism. -- Phy*lo*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

||Phy"lon (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; race, tribe.] ||(Biol.) A tribe.

||Phy"lum (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL. See Phylon.] (Zoˆl.) One of the ||larger divisions of the animal kingdom; a branch; a grand division.

||Phy"ma (?), n.; pl. Phymata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to ||produce.] (Med.) A tubercle on any external part of the body.

||Phy"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows.] (Zoˆl.) A genus of ||fresh-water Pulmonifera, having reversed spiral shells. See Pond ||snail, under Pond.

||Phy*sa"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bladder, fr. &?; a bellows.] ||(Zoˆl.) A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the ||Portuguese man-of- war.

It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The American species (Physalia arethusa) is brilliantly colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors, graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.

||Phy*sa"li*Ê (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) An order of Siphonophora which ||includes Physalia.

||Phys`e*ma"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a blowing.] (Zoˆl.) A ||group of simple marine organisms, usually classed as the lowest of ||the sponges. They have inflated hollow bodies.

Phy*se"ter (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to blow: cf. F. physÈtËre.] 1. (Zoˆl.) The genus that includes the sperm whale.

2. A filtering machine operated by air pressure.

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

Phys"ic (?), n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis 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. "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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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