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chemical

[kem-i-kuh l]
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noun
  1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
  2. chemicals, Slang. narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.
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adjective
  1. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals: a chemical formula; chemical agents.
  2. used in chemical warfare: chemical weapons.
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Origin of chemical

1570–80; chemic + -al1; replacing chimical chemic
Related formschem·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·chem·i·cal, adjective, nounpre·chem·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·chem·i·cal, adjectivesem·i·chem·i·cal, adjectivesem·i·chem·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·chem·i·cal, adjective, nounsu·per·chem·i·cal·ly, adverbun·chem·i·cal, adjectiveun·chem·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for chemical

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • The air was saturated by it just as water may hold a chemical in solution.

    The Leopard Woman

    Stewart Edward White

  • He took a house near the chemical laboratory, to which he brought his wife and family.

  • But happily for me they accepted my statement as to their chemical nature in other respects.

  • There is also a change in chemical conditions, the water at least being decomposed.

  • In the latter the union is mechanical; in the former it is chemical.

British Dictionary definitions for chemical

chemical

noun
  1. any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use
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adjective
  1. of or used in chemistrychemical balance
  2. of, made from, or using chemicalschemical fertilizer
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Derived Formschemically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for chemical

adj.

1570s, "relating to chemistry," from chemic "of alchemy" (a worn-down derivative of Medieval Latin alchimicus; see alchemy) + -al (1). In early use also of alchemy. Related: Chemically.

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n.

1747, from chemical (adj.). Related: Chemicals.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
chemical in Medicine

chemical

(kĕm′ĭ-kəl)
adj.
  1. Of or relating to chemistry.
  2. Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.
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n.
  1. A substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.
  2. A drug, especially an illicit or addictive one.
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Related formschem′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
chemical in Science

chemical

[kĕm′ĭ-kəl]
Adjective
  1. Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.
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Noun
  1. A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.