physics

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The science that studies matter, energy, and how they affect each other.

   Their favourite subject at school was physics.

2. 2
   noun

   The way physical forces work in a particular situation or system.

   The physics of car crashes would never let anyone walk away so easily.

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”), from Ancient Greek φύσις (phúsis, “origin; nature, property”), from Ancient Greek φύω (phúō, “produce; bear; grow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to appear, become, rise up”).

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