-ics, -tics [-ac after i]

(Greek: a suffix that forms nouns and is usually used to form names of arts and sciences)

pragmatics
1. The branch of linguistics that studies language use rather than language structure.
2. The branch of semiotics that deals with the relationship between signs, especially words and other elements of language, and their users.
presbyatrics (s) (noun), presbyatrics (pl)
Rarely used term for gerontology; medical treatment of the aged: Joan's sister was quite interested in the whole range of family medications and remedies and specifically in presbyatrics for older people up in their years.
prosthetics (prahs THET iks) (plural used as a singular) (noun)
A branch of surgery dealing with renewal of missing components in human structures: Prosthetics involves the science and technology of the design, fabrication, and application of artificial parts in bodies:

Externally powered prosthetics refers to any physical replacements in which a small electronic motor has been incorporated for the purpose of providing force to control various physical functions.

Pointing to a page about prosthetics. Information about advances in prosthetics.


prosthodontics (prahs" thuh DAHN tiks) (plural used as a singular) (noun)
A branch of dentistry dealing with the construction and the improvements of teeth and related mouth or jaw structures with artificial devices or appliances: Prosthodontics is used for cosmetic or functional reasons, or both.

Prosthodontics also involves the restoration and maintenance of oral functions, comfort, appearance, and health of the patient by the renewal of missing enamel-layered structures and contiguous tissues with necessary substitutes.

proteomics (plural form used in the singular) (noun)
1. The comprehensive analysis of the identity, interactions and locations of proteins within a cell: "Targeted proteomics refers to the detection, quantification and characterization of specific proteins of interest in biological samples."
2. The analysis of the expression, localization, functions, and interactions of the proteins produced by the genes of an organism: "Proteomics involves the qualitative and quantitative study of the proteome (complete set of proteins produced from the information encoded in a genome) under various conditions, including protein expression, modification, localization, and function; as a means of understanding various biological processes."

"Proteomics aims to work out the differences in protein action between diseased cells and healthy ones."

"One objective of proteomics is to find chemical markers to determine what’s going wrong when disease strikes and to diagnose disorders; another, is to find methods of gene therapy that will cure the problems at the level of the DNA in human genes."

"The term proteomics was coined in 1994 by Marc Wilkins, Professor in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; who defined it as 'the study of proteins, how they're modified, when and where they're expressed, how they're involved in metabolic pathways and how they interact with one another.' "

psychoacoustics (s) (noun) (no pl)
1. The science that deals with the perceptions of sounds and the productions of speech: In the local university, there is a course offered on psychoacoustics into which many speech therapists enroll.

While working in the mental health unit at the hospital, Dr. Kitchen observed patients when different kinds of music was played, hoping to write a scientific paper on psychoacoustics for a professional journal.

2. A discipline combining experimental psychology and physics that deals with the physical features of sound as related to audition, as well as with the physiology and psychology of sound receptor processes: The local university's psychology and physiology departments were the primary organizers of an international convention that was being planned in the city for scientists and practitioners of psychoacoustics."
3. The scientific investigation of the way in which animals and humans hear, particularly the reception and analysis of the input signals: Dr. Laurie specialized in psychoacoustics, studying the relationship that existed between sound receptions and the biological processing of sounds.
psychoasthenics
The study of mental retardation.
psychodiagnostics
1. The use of psychological testing as an aid in diagnosing mental disorders.
2. The observation and interpretation of externally observable actions of an individual, such as voice inflection, gestures, and body posture for the purpose of drawing inferences about the personality of that person.
3. A term used especially by Swiss and German writers for Rorschach Test.
psychodynamics
1. The scientific study of mental action or force.
2. The description of the development and workings of the mind, with emphasis on how the mind's hypothesized energies are distributed in the course of its adaptational maneuvers.
psychoesthetics, psychoaesthetics (s) (noun) (no pl)
The study of the psychological aspects of sense perceptions: After completing his internship in dermatology, Dr. Peters decided to specialize in the field of psychoesthetics in order to better understand the psychological aspects of illnesses.
psycholeptics
That group of psychotropic agents whose effect is primarily on mental functions rather than on psychomotor activity. Included are minor tranquilizers, antidepressants, and hallucinogens.
psycholinguistics
1. The study of linguistics as it relates to human behavior.
2. Study of a host of psychological factors associated with speaking; including voice, attitudes, emotions, and grammatical rules, that affect communication and tunderstand, predict, and often to change the behavior of living organisms, with a particular emphasis on human behavior in its origins, development, and expression during the lifetime of the individual.relating to psychology.
psychometrics
That branch of psychology centering on the study of various mental measurements, making use of psychological tests designed to reflect differences among individuals on one or more of the several dimensions of mental ability; such as, intelligence, aptitudes, interests, manual abilities, special abilities, or disabilities.

It includes the devising or standardization of various tests and the development or application of statistical techniques that are particularly appropriate for the analysis of mental test data.

psychophysicotherapeutics
Remedial treatment of mind and body.
psychophysics
The science of the relation between the physical attributes of a stimulus and the measured, quantitative attributes of the mental perception of that stimulus (e.g., the relationship between changes in decibel level and the corresponding changes in the person's perception of the sound).