Laboratory
/ˈlæbəˌrɑːtɔːri/noun
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching.
Did you know?The term 'laboratory' traces back to the Latin 'laborare', meaning 'to work', linking it to the ancient alchemical practices of transforming base materials into gold—a metaphor for enlightenment.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
laboratorium
“A place for work or labor, often associated with experimental efforts in alchemy.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
laboratorius
“Pertaining to work; a space for conducting experiments.”
14th Century
Old French
laboratoire
“A workshop or place for practical work.”
16th Century
Early Modern English
laboratory
“A place where chemical or physical experiments are conducted.”
Modern English
English
laboratory
“A specialized room for scientific research and experimentation.”
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