Etymology
chemic (“alchemy”) From Late Latin chemicus, chimicus, chymicus + -al (“related to”).
Adjective
chemical (not comparable)
- Of or relating to chemistry.
- Some of the world's most fascinating inventions, such as waterproof paper, started out as chemical experiments or even accidents!
- In chemistry class, we had to learn the chemical properties of various elements.
- Of or relating to a material or processes not commonly found in nature or in a particular product.
Noun
chemical (plural chemicals)
- (chemistry, sciences) Any specific chemical element, chemical compound, or alloy.
- Hydrogen and sulphur are both chemicals.
- (colloquial) An artificial chemical compound.
- I color my hair with henna, not chemicals.
Derived terms
- chemical agent
- chemical biology
- chemical bond
- chemical cell
- chemical change
- chemical composition
- chemical decomposition
- chemical element
- chemical energy
- chemical engineer
- chemical engineering
- chemical equation
- chemical fingerprint
- chemical formula
- chemical-free
- chemical genomics
- chemical hazard
- chemical imbalance
- chemical industry
- chemical physics
- chemical plant
- chemical property
- chemical reaction
- chemical reactor
- chemical structure
- chemical symbol
- chemical warfare
- chemical weapon
Related terms
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here:
