physics
//ˈfɪz.ɪks//
Definitions
1.The branch of science concerned with the study of the properties and interactions of space, time, matter and energy.
- Newtonian physics was extended by Einstein to explain the effects of travelling near the speed of light; quantum physics extends it to account for the behaviour of atoms.
- An analysis of media reports can correspondingly cast some light not only on how much physics is being reported, but on what branches of physics attract most popular attention.
- The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.
2.The physical aspects of a phenomenon or a system, especially those examined or studied scientifically.
- The physics of car crashes would not let Tom Cruise walk away like that.
- An analysis of media reports can correspondingly cast some light not only on how much physics is being reported, but on what branches of physics attract most popular attention.
3.plural of physic
1.third-person singular simple present indicative of physic
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3388
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
1580s; from physic (see also -ics)
From Middle English phisik
From Old French fisike (“natural science, art of healing”)
From Latin physica (“study of nature”)
From Ancient Greek φυσική (phusikḗ), feminine singular of φυσικός (phusikós, “natural; physical”)