phys·ics (f?z??ks)n.1. (used with a sing. verb) The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two, grouped in traditional fields such as acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, as well as in modern extensions including atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and plasma physics.2. (used with a pl. verb) Physical properties, interactions, processes, or laws: the physics of supersonic flight.3. (used with a sing. verb) Archaic The study of the natural or material world and phenomena; natural philosophy.[From Latin physica, from Greek (ta) phusika, (the things) of nature, from neuter pl. of phusikos; see physic.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.physics (?f?z?ks) n (functioning as singular) 1. (General Physics) the branch of science concerned with the properties of matter and energy and the relationships between them. It is based on mathematics and traditionally includes mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics, and heat. Modern physics, based on quantum theory, includes atomic, nuclear, particle, and solid-state studies. It can also embrace applied fields such as geophysics and meteorology2. (General Physics) physical properties of behaviour: the physics of the electron. 3. (General Physics) archaic natural science or natural philosophy[C16: from Latin physica, translation of Greek ta phusika natural things, from phusis nature]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014phys?ics (?f?z ?ks) n. (used with a sing. v.) the science that deals with matter, energy, motion, and force. [1580?90] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.phys·ics (f?z??ks) The scientific study of matter and energy and the relations between them.The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.PhysicsSee also astronomy; cosmology; gravity; radiation. anisotropythe state or quality of having different properties along different axes. See also botany. ? anisotropic, adj.astaticismthe condition of constant, uninterrupted variability of direction or position. ? astatic, adj.atomologythe theory of atoms.biophysicsthe branch of physics that deals with living things. ? biophysicist, n. ? biophysical, adj.ceraunicsthe study of heat and electricity.crystallographythe science that studies crystallization and the forms and structures of crystals. ? crystallographer, n. ? crystallographic, crystallographical, adj.diamagnetisma property of certain materials of being repelled by both poles of a magnet, thus taking a position at right angles to the magnet?s lines of influence.dynamometrythe measurement of energy used in doing work. ? dynamometer, n. ? dynamometric, dynamometrical, adj.electrotropismorientation in relation to a current of electricity. ? electrotropic, adj.energeticsthe branch of physics that studies energy and its transformation. ? energeticist, n. ? energeticistic, adj.energisma doctrine that asserts that certain phenomena can be explained in terms of energy. ? energist, n.faradismthe application of alternating electrical current for therapeutic purposes. ? faradic, adj.focimetrythe determination of focal length. ? focimetric, adj.Franklinismstatic electricity. Also called Franklinic electricity.galvanisma direct electrical current, especially one produced by chemical action. ? galvanic, adj.galvanologya work on the production of electric current by chemical means. ? galvanologist, n. ? galvanological, adj.galvanometrythe measurement of the strength of electric currents, by means of a galvanometer. ? galvanometric, galvanometrical, adj.geophysicsthe physics of the earth, including oceanography, volcanology, seismology, etc. ? geophysicist, n. ? geophysical, adj.gyrostaticsthe study of the behavior of rotating solid bodies. ? gyrostatic, adj. ? gyrostatically, adv.halologyChemistry. the study of salts. Also called halotechny.homeomorphismthe similarity of the crystalline forms of substances that have different chemical compositions. ? homeomorphous, adj.hydraulics1. the science concerned with the laws governing water and other liquids in motion and their engineering applications.2. applied or practical hydrodynamics.hydrodynamicsthe study of forces that act on or are produced by liquids. Also called hydromechanics. ? hydrodynamic, hydrodynamical, adj.hydrokineticsthe branch of hydrodynamics dealing with the laws of gases or liquids in motion. ? hydrokinetic, adj.hydromechanicshydrodynamics. ? hygrometric, hygrometrical, adj.hydrostaticsthe study of the equilibrium and pressure of liquids. ? hydrostatician, n. ? hydrostatic, hydrostatical, adj.hygrometrythe branch of physics concerned with the measurement of moisture in the air. ? hygrometric, hygrometrical, adj.isomorphismclose similarity between the forms of different crystals. See also biology. ? isomorph, n. ? isomorphic, adj.kinematicsthe branch of mechanics that deals with motion without reference to force or mass. ? kinematic, kinematical, adj.magnetologythe study of magnets and magnetism.monosymmetrythe state exhibited by a crystal, having three unequal axes with one oblique intersection; the state of being monoclinic. See also biology. ? monosymmetric, monosymmetrical, adj.optotechnicsthe technology of optical instruments and apparatus.oscillographythe study of the wave-forms of changing currents, voltages, or any other quantity that can be translated into electricity, as light or sound waves. ? oscillographic, adj.osmometrythe measurement of osmotic pressure, or the force a dissolved substance exerts on a semipermeable membrane through which it cannot pass when separated by it from a pure solvent. ? osmometric, adj.physicismthe doctrine that explains the universe in physical terms.physicsthe science that studies matter and energy in terms of motion and force. ? physicist, n. ? physical, adj.plenismthe theory that nature contains no vacuums. Cf. vacuism. ? plenist, n.pleochroisma property of some crystals of showing variation in color when viewed in transmitted light or from different directions. Also called pleochromatism, polychroism, polychromatism. ? pleochroic, pleochromatic, adj.pleochromatism, polychroism, polychromatismpleochroism.pyrologythe study of fire and heat, especially with regard to chemical analysis.radiometrythe measurement of radiant energy by means of a radiometer, an instrument composed of vanes which rotate at speeds proportionate to the intensity of the energy source. ? radiometric, adj.radiophonythe transformation of radiant energy into sound.spectrobolometrymeasurement of the distribution of energy in a spectrum by means of a spectrobolometer, an instrument combining a bolometer and a spectroscope. ? spectrobolometric, adj.statiesthe branch of mechanics or physics that deals with matter and forces in equilibrium. ? statical, adj.sympalmographan apparatus for illustrating in graphic form the composition of two simple harmonic motions at right angles.telemechanicsthe science of operating or controlling mechanisms by remote control, especially by radio.thermionicsthe science or study of the emission of electrons from substances at high temperatures. ? thermionic, adj.thermostaticsthe science or study of the equilibrium of heat.tribologythe science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear.trichroisma property, peculiar to certain crystals, of transmitting light of three different colors when viewed from three different directions. Also called trichromatism. ? trichroic, adj.trichromatism1. the condition of having, using, or combining three colors.2. trichroism. ? trichromatic, adj.trochilicsRare. the science of rotary motion. ? trochilic, adj.vacuismthe theory that nature permits vacuums. Cf. plenism. ? vacuist, n.voltaismelectricity generated by chemical means, as in a cell or battery; galvanism.-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.physique – physics1. ‘physique’Your physique (/f?zi?k/) is the shape and size of your body.You do not use ‘physique ‘ to refer to the scientific study of such things as heat, light, sound, and electricity. The word you use is physics (/f?z?ks/).