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CHEMICAL

 - 6 dictionary results

chem⋅i⋅cal

  [kem-i-kuhl]
Use CHEMICAL in a Sentence
–noun
1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
2. chemicals, Slang. narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.
–adjective
3. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals: a chemical formula; chemical agents.
4. used in chemical warfare: chemical weapons.
Origin:
1570–80; chemic + -al 1 ; r. chimical chemic

Related forms:
chem⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To CHEMICAL
chem·i·cal   (kěm'ĭ-kəl)   
adj.  

  1. Of or relating to chemistry.

  2. Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.

n.  

  1. A substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.

  2. A drug, especially an illicit or addictive one.


[Obsolete chimical, from chimic, alchemist, from New Latin chimicus, from Medieval Latin alchimicus, from alchymia, alchemy; see alchemy.]
chem'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

chemical 
1576, from chemic "of alchemy" (a worn-down derivative of M.L. alchimicus) + -al suffix forming adjectives (see alchemy). Chemist (1562) was originally "alchemist;" in scientific sense 1626; in Britain, the preferred term for "dealer in medicinal drugs," first recorded in this sense 1802.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1chem·i·cal
Pronunciation: 'kem-i-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, used in, or produced bychemistry
2 a : acting or operated or produced by chemicals b : detectable by chemical means —chem·i·cal·ly /-i-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2chemical
Function: noun
: a substance (as an element or chemical compound) obtained by a chemical process or used for producing a chemical effect
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

chemical chem·i·cal (kěm'ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Abbr. chem.

  1. Of or relating to chemistry.

  2. Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.

n.

  1. A substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.

  2. A drug, especially an illicit or addictive one.

chem'i·cal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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