semisynthetic

[ sem-ee-sin-thet-ik, sem-ahy- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. derived synthetically from one or more substances of natural origin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of semisynthetic¹

First recorded in 1935–40; semi- + synthetic

Example Sentences

Dioxins are a byproduct from the process of whitening rayon, a semisynthetic fiber added to some tampons to increase their absorbency.

From Popular-Science