Chemistry
/ˈkɛm.ɪ.stri/noun
The branch of science that deals with the identification, composition, and properties of substances and the changes they undergo.
Did you know?The word 'chemistry' has its origins in the ancient practice of alchemy, which sought to transform base metals into gold and discover a universal elixir.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian
khem
“Black land; referring to the fertile soil of the Nile”
Greek
Greek
khēmía
“Art of transmuting metals”
Arabic
Arabic
al-kīmiyāʾ
“The art of transformation”
Medieval Latin
Latin
chemia
“The study of alchemy”
16th Century
English
chemistry
“The science of matter and its transformations”
Modern English
English
Chemistry
“The scientific study of substances and their interactions”