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dynamic

[dahy-nam-ik]
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adjective Also dy·nam·i·cal.
  1. pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic: the dynamic president of the firm.
  2. Physics.
    1. of or relating to force or power.
    2. of or relating to force related to motion.
  3. pertaining to the science of dynamics.
  4. of or relating to the range of volume of musical sound.
  5. Computers. (of data storage, processing, or programming) affected by the passage of time or the presence or absence of power: Dynamic memory must be constantly refreshed to avoid losing data. Dynamic websites contain Web pages that are generated in real time.
  6. Grammar. nonstative.
noun
  1. a basic or dynamic force, especially one that motivates, affects development or stability, etc.

Origin of dynamic

1810–20; < French dynamique < Greek dynamikós, equivalent to dýnam(is) force, power + -ikos -ic
Related formsdy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·dy·nam·ic, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverbun·dy·nam·ic, adjectiveun·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dynamical

Historical Examples

  • In the domain of style, Euphues was dynamical; the plays were not.

    John Lyly

    John Dover Wilson

  • A dynamical theory is recognised as being at once necessary and sufficient.

    The Ether of Space

    Oliver Lodge

  • So, too, is it if we look at the development of dynamical astronomy.

    The Data of Ethics

    Herbert Spencer

  • The nature of the dynamical action may be thus briefly explained.

  • It increases the wonder with which we regard every dynamical discovery.

    The Gospel of St. John

    Frederick Denison Maurice

British Dictionary definitions for dynamical

dynamic

adjective
  1. of or concerned with energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to static
  2. of or concerned with dynamics
  3. Also: dynamical characterized by force of personality, ambition, energy, new ideas, etc
  4. music of, relating to, or indicating dynamicsdynamic marks
  5. computing (of a memory) needing its contents refreshed periodicallyCompare static (def. 8)
Derived Formsdynamically, adverb

Word Origin

C19: from French dynamique, from Greek dunamikos powerful, from dunamis power, from dunasthai to be able
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dynamical

dynamic

adj.

1817 as a term in philosophy; 1827 in the sense "pertaining to force producing motion" (the opposite of static), from French dynamique introduced by German mathematician Gottfried Leibnitz (1646-1716) in 1691 from Greek dynamikos "powerful," from dynamis "power," from dynasthai "to be able, to have power, be strong enough," of unknown origin. The figurative sense of "active, potent, energetic" is from 1856 (in Emerson). Related: Dynamically.

dynamic

n.

"energetic force; motive force," 1894, from dynamic (adj.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dynamical in Science

dynamic

[dī-năm′ĭk]
  1. Relating to energy or to objects in motion. Compare static.
  2. Relating to the study of dynamics.
  3. Characterized by continuous change or activity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.