Adjacent Words

Physical astronomy definitions

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Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Physical 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Astronomy As*tron"o*my, n. [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L. astronomia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? astronomer; 'asth`r star + ? to distribute, regulate. See Star, and Nomad.] 1. Astrology. [Obs.] Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy. --Shak. 2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena. 3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science. Physical astronomy. See under Physical.