Chemicals
/ˈkɛmɪkəlz/noun
Substances produced by or used in a chemical process.
Did you know?The term 'chemical' derives from ancient alchemy, where practitioners sought to transmute base metals into gold, hinting at a magical transformation of substances.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χῆμεια (khēmeia)
“The art of transmuting base materials, often associated with magic and transformation.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
alchimia
“The practice of alchemy, blending mystical elements with early scientific inquiry.”
14th Century
Old French
chimie
“The study of the properties of substances and their transformations.”
17th Century
English
chemical
“Pertaining to the science of chemistry, focusing on the properties and changes of matter.”
Modern English
English
chemicals
“Referring to substances produced by or used in chemical processes, often with industrial applications.”