-ical | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

-ical

compound adjectival word-forming element, usually interchangeable with -ic but sometimes with specialized sense (such as historic/historical, politic/political), Middle English, from Late Latin -icalis, from Latin -icus + -alis (see -al (1)). Probably it was needed because the forms in -ic often took on a noun sense (for example physic). Forms in -ical tend to be attested earlier in English than their twins in -ic.

apological (adj.)

c. 1600; see apology + -ical.

zoological (adj.)

1807, from zoology + -ical.

whimsical (adj.)

1650s, from whimsy + -ical. Related: Whimsically.

astrological (adj.)

"pertaining to astrology," 1590s; see astrology + -ical. Related: Astrologically.

anthropological (adj.)

1786, from anthropology + -ical. Related: Anthropologically.

gynecological (adj.)

also gynaecological, 1858, from gynecology + -ical. Related: Gynecologically.