cosmical

Cosmical is an adjective that relates to the cosmos or the universe. It can denote things that pertain to the totality of nature on a cosmic scale, or that reflect universal, world-spanning principles. The term is closely related to cosmic and cosmological, but it often carries a more literary or archaic nuance that emphasizes universal order rather than specific astronomical phenomena.

Etymology and history: The word derives from Latin cosmicus, from Greek kosmikos meaning "of the world, of the cosmos." It entered English through Latin and has appeared in English literature and philosophy since the early modern period. In contemporary usage, cosmical is comparatively rare outside historical writing or stylistic prose.

Usage today: In modern scientific writing, cosmical is largely supplanted by cosmic or cosmological. When used, it tends toward formal, archaic, or poetic registers, as in phrases such as "cosmical order" or "cosmical perspective," which signal a universal scope rather than a specific astronomical context. In literary, philosophical, or historical contexts, cosmical may convey a sense of grandeur or universality that aligns with discussions of humanity's place in the cosmos.

See also: cosmic, cosmology, cosmological.