physics

Where does the word "physics" come from? It comes from Greek physika, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Physics’s story begins in Greek: physika meant “the study of nature.” From "physis" (nature), the study of natural things. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as physica. From Aristotle's 'Physics', his work on nature. It reached English by 1500s as physics. Settled as the English name for the science of matter and energy. Today, physics means the scientific study of matter, energy, and the forces between them.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient physika "the study of nature", from "physis" (nature), the study of natural things.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient physica "natural science", from Aristotle's 'Physics', his work on nature.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s physics "the science of matter, energy, and force", settled as the English name for the science of matter and energy.