The word "physical" is spelled with eight letters and pronounced as /ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl/. The first syllable starts with the letter "f" and is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by the letter "z". The second syllable starts with an "i" sound pronounced as "ih" and is followed by the letter "c" and the letter "a" pronounced as "kəl". The word refers to anything relating to the body or material things as opposed to the abstract or imaginary.
Physical is an adjective that pertains to the body, its attributes, and its material existence. It refers to tangible aspects of the physical world and is associated with the objects, substances, or phenomena that can be perceived through sensory experiences. It encompasses the realm of matter, energy, and their interactions.
In relation to human beings, the term physical relates to the bodily structure, form, and functioning. It encompasses characteristics such as appearance, stature, strength, and overall health. Physical activity and exercise refer to actions that involve bodily movement and exertion, often aimed at enhancing fitness or promoting well-being.
In a broader sense, physical can extend beyond the human domain to encompass all living organisms and the inanimate objects that make up the world. It denotes the characteristics, properties, or attributes that are measurable and can be observed through empirical evidence or scientific methods.
Physical is also used to signify the opposite of psychological or mental. In this context, it pertains to the external, outward, or observable aspects rather than thoughts, emotions, or subjective experiences. It differentiates between the tangible, concrete aspects of reality and the abstract, intangible realms of the mind.
Overall, physical refers to the material, corporeal, or bodily aspects of existence, providing a framework to understand and describe the tangible and measurable aspects of the world in which we live.
1. Relating to the body, as distinguished from the mind.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to nature or natural productions; pert. to the body or material things; perceptible to the senses; external.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "physical" originated from the Latin word "physica", which was derived from the Greek word "physis". "Physis" originally meant "nature" or "natural order", and it came from the verb "phyo", meaning "to bring forth" or "to grow". Over time, "physica" came to refer to the study of nature or the natural world, including the physical sciences. In English, "physical" started being used as an adjective in the early 17th century, referring to things relating to the body or physical properties.