Chemical
/ˈkɛm.ɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to or derived from chemistry.
Did you know?The word 'chemical' is linked to the ancient practice of alchemy, where practitioners sought to transform base metals into gold and discover the elixir of life.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χημεία (khēmeía)
“The art of transmuting substances, often associated with the creation of gold.”
Arabic
Arabic
الكيمياء (al-kīmiyāʾ)
“The art of transformation; the root 'kīmiyāʾ' refers to the Egyptian black soil, symbolizing fertile transformation.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
alchimia
“The medieval practice of alchemy, a blend of science and mystical philosophy.”
14th Century
Old French
chimie
“The study of substances, derived from the Arabic term through Latin.”
17th Century
English
chemical
“Pertaining to the science of chemistry and the study of substances and their transformations.”