dynamicaladj.
/dɪˈnamɪkəl//dʌɪˈnamɪkəl/ 1. Of or pertaining to the science of dynamics n.
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the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > [adjective]
dynamical1814
dynamic1838
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. ii. iii. 271 An elementary exposition of the dynamical principles employed in these investigations.
1833 J. F. W. Herschel Astronomy viii. 266 As an abstract dynamical proposition.
1869 T. H. Huxley in Sci. Opinion 28 Apr. 486/3 Strict deductions from admitted dynamical principles.
2.
a. Of or pertaining to force or mechanical power: = dynamic adj. 1, 2. dynamical electricity, current electricity, as exhibited in the galvanic battery, and in electromotive appliances. dynamical metamorphism: see dynamic metamorphism n. at dynamic adj. and n. Compounds.
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the world > movement > impelling or driving > [adjective]
dynamic1827
dynamical1828
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > [adjective] > relating to force in operation
dynamical1828
dynamic1862
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Dynamical, pertaining to strength or power.
1846 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces 15 Nor do we by any of our ordinary methods test heat in any other way than by its purely dynamical action.
1855 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. ii. x. 192 In this purely dynamical action consists the production of sound.
1860 M. F. Maury Physical Geogr. Sea (ed. 8) ii. §108 The dynamical forces which are expressed by the Gulf Stream.
1862 H. Holland Ess. i. 14 On the mutual convertibility of heat and dynamical force.
1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. iii. 96 In a permanent condition of dynamical equilibrium.
1881 Sir W. Thomson in Nature No. 619. 435 High potential..is the essential for good dynamical economy in the electric transmission of power.
1889 Geol. Mag. 243 Rosenbusch..seeking to bring clearly into view the consideration that the special kind of metamorphism referred to is only produced when the mechanical forces effect movement, and thus do work, suggested the term Dynamical metamorphism or dynamometamorphism.
b. transferred. Cf. dynamic adj. 3b.
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1870 S. H. Hodgson Theory of Pract. ii. iv. §93. 11 The distinction between the statical and dynamical mode of perception gives the distinction between noun and verb. [See also s.v. dynamically adv.]
3. Applied to inspiration conceived as an endowing with divine power, in opposition to a ‘mechanical’ inspiration in which the medium is the mere tool or instrument of the Deity.
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1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. xvi. 60 The method in which it [Divine Influence] has been exerted on man has been dynamical rather than merely mechanical.
1846 J. C. Hare Mission of Comforter II. 499 Andrewes..was disposed to look at the work of the Spirit rather as mechanical, than as dynamical or organical.
1856 J. Macnaught Doctr. Inspiration (1857) vi. 6 If a living man..be ‘moved by the Spirit’, it can, assuredly, only be by a strengthening, or enlarging, or adding to the number of the faculties of that living man—that is, by ‘dynamical’ inspiration.
4. Of or pertaining to dynamism n. (sense 1).
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a1832 F. D. Maurice Moral & Metaphysical Philos. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) II. 579/1 That high form of dynamical philosophy which was contained in the poems of Empedocles of Agrigentum.
1850 F. D. Maurice Moral & Metaphysical Philos. (ed. 2) I. 85 The natural philosophers of Greece are divided into the dynamical and mechanical—Thales being assigned to the former class.
5. Medicine. Functional: = dynamic adj. 5a.
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1861 T. J. Graham Pract. Med. 19 Another element of disease in the dynamical condition of a part, appears to be an alteration in the relation between the tissues and the blood.
Draft additions December 2012
dynamical system n. Mathematics and Physics a system governed by dynamics (i.e. either classical mechanics or quantum mechanics), rather than by statics.
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1861 J. Spedding et al. Wks. Francis Bacon I. 350 [Translator's note] Every dynamical system carries within itself the seeds of its own decay.
1931 Q. Rev. Biol. 6 151/2 The ‘purpose’ of a dynamical system is the state of least potential energy or minimum free energy.
2011 R. Kautz Chaos vi. 79 Hysteresis is a sign of nonlinearity, and it is often associated with chaos in dynamical systems.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1814