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Physical vs Special - What's the difference?

physical | special |

As adjectives the difference between physical and special

is that physical is having to do with the body while special is special.

As a noun physical

is physical examination.

physical

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?

    Antonyms

    * mental, psychological; having to do with the mind viewed as distinct from body.

    Derived terms

    * antiphysical * physical body * physical chemistry * physical education * physical examination * physical relations * physical therapy * physical world

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Physical examination.
  • How long has it been since your last physical ?

    Synonyms

    * checkup, check-up

    Statistics

    *

    special

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
  • a special episode of a television series
  • Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
  • Everyone is special to someone.
  • (euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
  • He goes to a special school.
  • Constituting or relating to a species.
  • The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
  • Chief in excellence.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

    Derived terms

    * special attack * special constable * special defense * special delivery * special education / special ed * special forces * specialisation / specialization * specialise / specialize * specialist * speciality, specialty * specially * specialness * Special Olympics * special ops

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
  • We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
  • (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series
  • (British, colloquial) A special constable.
  • Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
  • Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
  • (video games) special move
  • * 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
  • Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.

    Statistics

    *