Both Uses of
physics
in
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- "Since we are talking about errors," said the king's procurator, "I have just been studying the figures on the portal below before ascending hither; is your reverence quite sure that the opening of the work of physics is there portrayed on the side towards the Hôtel-Dieu, and that among the seven nude figures which stand at the feet of Notre-Dame, that which has wings on his heels is Mercurius?"†
Chpt 2.7.5physics = the science of matter and energy
- Captain Phoebus's heart, like the physics of that day, abhorred a vacuum.†
Chpt 2.8.6 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(physics) the science of matter and energy and their interactions
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
During Shakespeare's time, physics could refer to alleviating pain or illness. As a noun, physics could refer to medications--especially laxatives.