physical

Definitions

physic (nature, the material world) + -al (relating to) = 'belonging to nature.' From there the word pulled in two directions at once. Pointing outward, it means material and measurable — the physical world, physical laws. Pointing inward at the human body, it means bodily — physical strength, physical contact. As a noun it became the body check-up itself. Always ask which one the context wants: matter or body.

Why It Means This

Physical is the family's master multi-sense word, and the senses all trace back to one idea: 'belonging to the natural, material world.' That single root meaning fans out into the body (physical health, physical labor), matter and science (physical properties, physical laws), and the tangible vs. digital (a physical copy). The noun sense — 'a physical' meaning a body exam — is just the body sense crystallized into a thing.

Common Collocations

• 1.physical activity体育活动
• 2.physical therapy物理治疗
• 3.physical exam体检
• 4.physical contact身体接触
• 5.physical strength体力
• 6.physical world物质世界

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Regular exercise keeps you in good physical condition.

• 2.

  Light and sound obey the same basic physical laws.

• 3.

  We still prefer a physical book to an e-book.

• 4.

  He passed his annual physical with no problems.

• 5.

  Avoid any physical contact with the injured area.