Apedia

Physics  A  The Plural Physics  Noun Singular Natural

Title physics
Text
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
phys·ics
 \\ˈfi-ziks\\ noun plural but singular or plural in construction
 ETYMOLOGY  Latin physica, plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos of nature, from physisgrowth, nature, from phyein to bring forth — more at 
be
 DATE  1715
1. a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions
2.
  a. the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system
  b. the physical properties and composition of something
English Etymology
physics
  1580s, "natural science," from physic in sense of "natural science." Also see -ics. Specific sense of "science treating of properties of matter and energy" is from 1715. Physicist coined 1840 by the Rev. William Whewell (17941866), Eng. polymath, to denote a "cultivator of physics" as opposed to a physician.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
 physics
phys·ics 5fiziks / noun[U]
   the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, etc., of relationships between them, and how they affect objects
   物理学:
   a degree in physics 
   物理学学位 
    particle / nuclear / theoretical physics 
   粒子/核 / 理论物理学 
   the laws of physics 
   物理定律 
   a school physics department 
   学校的物理系 
   to study the physics of the electron 
   研究电子物理 
 see also 
astrophysics
 , 
geophysics
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of English


physics 
nou
ADJ. classical | modern | experimental, theoretical | atomic, high-energy, mathematical, medical, Newtonian, nuclear, (elementary) particle, quantum | A-level | school, university 

PHRASES the laws of physics 
 • Note at 
SUBJECT
(for verbs and nouns) 
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
phys·ics
I. \ˈfiziks, -zēks\ noun plural but usually singular in construction
Etymology: physics plural of physic (intended as translation of Latin physica, neuter plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos natural); physic from Middle English phisik, fisike medical science, natural science, from Old French phisike, fisique, from Latin physica, feminine singular, study of nature, from Greek physikē, from feminine of physikos natural, from physis nature + -ikos -ic; akin to Greek phylē tribe, clan, phyein to bring forth — more at 
be
1. physic noun singular 
 a. : the art or practice of healing diseases : the science of therapeutics : the practice or profession of medicine; also archaic :medical science : the theory of diseases and their treatment
 b. obsolete : medical treatment; also : a health-giving or curative practice or regimen
 c. 
  (1) : a remedy for disease : a medicinal agent or preparation; especially : a medicine (as a laxative) that purges
  (2) obsolete : a mental, moral, or spiritual medicine
2. also physic archaic : natural science
3. 
 a. : a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions in the fields of mechanics, acoustics, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear phenomena
 b. : a particular system or branch of physics
  < classical physics >
  < nuclear physics >
4. : a treatise or manual of physics
 < left his physics on the bench >
5. 
 a. : physical processes and phenomena (as of a particular system)
  physics of the living cell >
 b. : the physical properties and composition of something
  < the physics of different soils >
  < the study of marine physics >
Synonyms: see 
remedy
II. 
present third singular of 
physic

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Physiognomy character facial from  appearance  the noun  from

Previous card:  a dictionary noun physics oxford physicist phys·i·cist specialist

Up to card list: English learning