physical astronomy

Physical \Phys"ic*al\ (f[i^]z"[i^]*kal), 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.
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            Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in
            putting objects in motion.            --J. S. Mill.
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            A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere
            physical force.                       --Macaulay.
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   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.
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   3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization;
      cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical,
      opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.
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   4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine;
      medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative.
      [Obs.] "Physical herbs." --Sir T. North.
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            Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
            To walk unbraced, and suck up the humors
            Of the dank morning?                  --Shak.
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   {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.
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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.]
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            Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck;
            And yet methinks I have astronomy.    --Shak.
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   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.
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   3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science.
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   {Physical astronomy}. See under {Physical}.
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