Physics, n. sing.

(fĭz'ĭks), n. sing. [Gr. φυσική (sc. θεωρία), from φυσικός, Lat. physica, physice, s., and physica, pl.; Fr. physique, Sp., Pg., & It. fisica, Pr. *fezica. See PHYSICAL.] The science of nature or of natural objects, comprehending the study or knowledge of the material world; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the general properties of bodies, and the causes (as gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, &c.) that modify those properties; natural philosophy. [See Note under MATHEMATICS.]

☞ Chemistry, though a branch of general physics, is commonly treated as a science by itself, and the applications of physical principles which it involves constitute a branch called chemical physics, which treats more especially of those physical properties of matter which are used by chemists in defining and distinguishing substances.