Adjective

(en adjective)

Having to do with the body.

Having to do with the material world.

* John Stuart Mill

Labour, in the physical world, is employed in putting objects in motion.

* Macaulay

A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.

* {{quote-magazine, title=No hiding place

, date=2013-05-25, volume=407, issue=8837, page=74, magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result.}}

Involving bodily force.

Having to do with physics.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01, author=Michael Riordan, title=Tackling Infinity

, volume=100, issue=1, page=86, magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.}}

(label)

(obsolete) Relating to physic, or medicine; medicinal; curative; also, cathartic; purgative.

* Sir T. North

Physical herbs.

* Shakespeare

Is Brutus sick? and is it physical / To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours / Of the dank morning?

Adjective

(en adjective)

Predominant; of greatest force.

The prevailing opinion was for additional planning time.

* '', reprinted in 1797, John Bell, ''Bell's British Theatre , Volume 33, page 37 (within play),

He has a humour more prevailing than his curiosity, and will willingly dispense with the hearing of one scandalous story, to avoid giving an occasion to make another, by being seen to walk with his wife.

* 1807 , , The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner , page 187,

and as merciful coun?els are mo?t prevailing when earne?tly pre??ed, ?o I got them to be of the ?ame opinion as to clemency.

* 1826 , , House of Commons Papers , Volume 17, page 411,

I have heard generally that alderman Archer has a more prevailing and powerful influence in the commons than any other alderman, and exercises that influence ;

Prevalent, common, widespread.

* 1829 , James Annesley, Sketches of the Most Prevalent Diseases of India , page 247,

Fever'' and ''dysentery are the most prevailing diseases in this division, more particularly the latter, which is one of the most destructive amongst the troops in India, and particularly so in the European constitution.

* 1832 , David Brewster, Spain'', entry in ''The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia , Volume 17, page 371,

One of the most prevailing defects in this people is their invincible indolence, and hatred of labour, which has, at all times, paralysed the government of their best princes, and impeded the success of their most brilliant enterprises.

* 1940 , Australian Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia No. 33 - 1940 , page 49,

In Sydney at 9 am, by far the most prevailing wind is a westerly, particularly during the colder two-thirds of the year.