| physical therapy |
the treatment of disease and injury by physical and mechanical means, such as exercise, heat, ultraviolet or infrared light, hydrotherapy, or massage, rather than by drugs; physiotherapy. |
| physical tolerance |
a bodily state in which, with repeated exposure to a drug over time, a higher dose of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. |
| physician |
a licensed medical doctor, esp. one who is not a surgeon. [2 definitions] |
| physician's assistant |
one who is certified to do certain medical procedures under the supervision of a medical doctor. |
| physicist |
a scientist whose specialty is physics. |
| physics |
(used with a sing. verb) the science that deals with matter and energy, their properties, and their interactions. [2 definitions] |
| physio- |
nature. [2 definitions] |
| physiognomy |
the facial or surface features of a person or other living creature. [2 definitions] |
| physiography |
the science that deals with the natural features, structure, and phenomena of the earth's surface, such as climate and the distribution of plants and animals; physical geography. |
| physiological |
of or relating to the vital processes or functions of a living organism or its parts. |
| physiology |
the science that deals with the processes and functions of living organisms and their cells, tissues, and parts. [2 definitions] |
| physiotherapy |
the treatment of disease, defects, or injuries by mechanical means, such as massage, exercise, or the application of heat; physical therapy. |
| physique |
the overall structure, proportions, muscular development, and appearance of the human body. |
| physis |
the area of growth at each end of the long bones of children and adolescents, also known as the epiphyseal plate or growth plate. |
| physostigmine |
a clear or pink crystalline substance obtained from the Calabar bean and used in various medicines, as for constricting the pupils in glaucoma. |
| -phyte |
a plant having the characteristic or growth habit specified. [2 definitions] |
| phyto- |
plant. |
| phytochemistry |
the branch of chemistry that deals with plants and the substances they produce. |
| phytogenic |
having developed or originated from plants, as coal. |
| phytoplankton |
tiny plant particles floating in bodies of water; algae. (Cf. zooplankton.) |
| P.I. |
abbreviation of "private investigator." |