officinal
Americanadjective
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kept in stock by apothecaries, as a drug.
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recognized by a pharmacopoeia.
noun
adjective
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(of pharmaceutical products) available without prescription
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(of a plant) having pharmacological properties
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of officinal
1710–20; < Medieval Latin officīnālis of a store or workshop, equivalent to Latin officīn ( a ) workshop, presumably contraction of opificīna ( opific-, stem of opifex artisan, equivalent to opi-, combining form akin to opus work + -fic-, combining form of facere to make, do 1 + -īna -ine 1; cf. office) + -ālis -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Among the most frequent of our sea-weeds, both as growing in the rock pools and cast ashore, is Chondrus crispus, already twice referred to in connexion with its officinal uses.
From Sea-Weeds, Shells and Fossils by Peter Gray
A dangerous compound of the latter sort introduced during the first epidemic of cholera in this country became officinal under the name of liniment of cantharides.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
The leaves made into a tincture or infusion are now an officinal drug, valued in catarrh of the throat or stomach.
From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Mary Elizabeth Parsons
The only officinal preparation, in which this root was an ingredient, was a compound powder; in which form its virtues are very precarious.
From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by William Salisbury
June, July.—A well-known officinal anthelmintic, and a showy plant.
From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Asa Gray
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