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chemical

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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    From New Latin chēmicus +‎ -al.[1]

    Pronunciation

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    Adjective

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    chemical (not comparable)

    1. Of or relating to chemistry.
      chemical experiments
      the chemical properties of iron
      Pentalene has chemical formula C8H6
      • 1883, Science, volumes 1-2, page 279:
        The physiology of matter in the abstract is dynamical, that of mineral species is both dynamical and chemical, while that of organized forms is at once dynamical, chemical, and biotical.
      • 2006, Andrew Adamatzky, “Reaction-Diffusion Reactive Wetware”, in Tamio Arai, editor, Intelligent Autonomous Systems 9, IOS Press, page 3:
        We pinpoint all essential ingredients of intelligence found in spatio-temporal dynamics of nonlinear chemical systems, and show outlines of future designs and protypes of chemical intelligent "gooware".
    2. Of or relating to a material or processes not commonly found in nature or in a particular product.
    3. (obsolete) Of or relating to alchemy.

    Translations

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    Further reading

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    Noun

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    chemical (plural chemicals)

    1. (chemistry, sciences) Any specific chemical element or chemical compound or alloy.
      Hydrogen and sulphur are both chemicals.
    2. (colloquial) An artificial chemical compound.
      I color my hair with henna, not chemicals.
      • 2025 January 15, “FDA moves to eliminate carcinogenic Red 3 from foods”, in Center for Science in the Public Interest‎[1]:
        CSPI says the Trump Administration could take steps to protect consumers from each of these chemicals and support FDA’s broader post-market assessment efforts. It could ensure that FDA sets health-protective limits on heavy metals, like lead, arsenic, and cadmium, in foods consumed by children.
    3. (slang) An addictive drug.

    Usage notes

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    • The noun is frequently used in a slang and more specific non-technical way (2nd and 3rd definition) by the general public. Chemists and those who understand chemistry may gravitate toward the first, but the term "substance" is preferred usage.

    Translations

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    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
    Translations to be checked

    Derived terms

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    terms derived from chemical (adjective and noun)
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    See also

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    References

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    1. ^ “chemical, adj. and n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

    Anagrams

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