Pharmaceuticals
/ˌfɑːrməˈsuːtɪkəlz/noun
Medicinal drugs and related substances used to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.
Did you know?Ancient Greek pharmakon could mean a remedy, a poison, or a magically potent substance, reflecting the old belief that dosage and ritual could determine whether a substance healed or harmed.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
phármakon (φάρμακον)
“A drug, medicine, poison, or magically potent substance”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pharmakeúō (φαρμακεύω)
“To administer drugs or use potions; later, to practice magic”
Late Greek
Greek
pharmakeutikós (φαρμακευτικός)
“Relating to the preparation or administration of drugs”
Middle English
English
pharmaceutik
“Pertaining to the preparation of medicines”
17th Century
English
pharmaceutical
“Relating to medicinal drugs or pharmacy”
Modern English
English
pharmaceuticals
“Medicinal drugs considered collectively”
Explore more surprising origins