Physis
/ˈfɪsɪs/noun
In ancient Greek philosophy, nature or the inherent principle of growth and being.
Did you know?In early Greek thought, physis wasn’t just “nature” as scenery; it was the living power of emergence itself, the opposite of mere human law or custom.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰuH-
“to grow, become, come into being”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φύσις (phýsis)
“growth, origin, nature”
Classical Greek Philosophy
Greek
φύσις (phýsis)
“the intrinsic principle by which a thing comes to be and develops”
Late Latin
Latin
physica
“natural science; study of nature”
Middle English
English
physis
“nature; the natural constitution of a thing”
Modern English
English
physis
“a technical term for nature or natural growth, especially in philosophy and medicine”
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