An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: Having actual physical existence; genuine, not artificial.
   

2. Math.: Involving, relating to, or having elements of the set of rational or irrational numbers only.
   

3. Philo.: Existent or pertaining to the existent as opposed to the nonexistent; actual as opposed to possible or potential.
   

See also:
→ real dynamical variable, → real equator, → real equinox, → real fluid, → real gas, → real image, → real number, → real object, → real-time operation, → real-time processing, → realism, → realist, → realistic, → reality, → true.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. reel, from L.L. realis “relating to things; actual,” from L. res “matter, thing,” of unknown origin.

Etymology (PE): Hasyâ, from O.Pers. hašya- “true, real;” Av. haiθa- “true, real;” cf. Khotanese hiththo “true, real;” Ossetic aecaeg “true, real, genuine;” Skt. satyá- “true, real, genuine;” PIE base *es- “to be” (Mod.Pers. hastan, astan “to be;” O.Pers./Av. ah-, Skt. as-).