Pharmacist
/ˈfɑːr.mə.sɪst/noun
A person who prepares and dispenses medicinal drugs.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Greek *pharmakon*, a term that could mean both “medicine” and “poison,” which is why the history of pharmacy has always carried a shadow side.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“To carry or bear; the source of a family of words that later developed through Greek into drug-related vocabulary.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pharmakon
“A drug, medicine, poison, or charm.”
Late Greek
Greek
pharmakeus
“A preparer or user of drugs; a poisoner or sorcerer.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
pharmacista
“A drug seller or apothecary.”
Middle French
French
pharmaciste
“A pharmacist; one who prepares and sells medicines.”
Modern English
English
pharmacist
“A person trained to prepare and dispense medicines.”