Definition of "physical" []

• Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit. See Synonyms at bodily. (adjective)
• Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity: a physical dance performance. (adjective)
• Slang Involving or characterized by violence: "A real cop would get physical” ( TV Guide). (adjective)
• Of or relating to material things: our physical environment. (adjective)
• Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them, especially physics. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The physical instrument of his mind (his brain), and also certain associated sets of muscles, must be sufficiently exercised in the _action_ of courage to build up within him the _physical structure_ of fearlessness that will be instantly responsive to a _mental attitude_ of bravery."
• "In the following cases: physical defect in the married parties, desertion without communication for five years, ’ he said, crooking a short finger covered with hair, ‘adultery’ (this word he pronounced with obvious satisfaction), ‘subdivided as follows’ (he continued to crook his fat fingers, though the three cases and their subdivisions could obviously not be classified together): ‘physical defect of the husband or of the wife, adultery of the husband or of the wife."
• "A third difficulty is this: The bird-metaphor is physical, but we see on reflection that in the _physical_ world there is no real compounding."