chemic

adjective

chem·ic ˈke-mik

archaic : alchemic

: chemical

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin chimicus, chymicus "alchemical," short for alchymicus, alkymicus, from alchymia, alkimia alchemy + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: As with other words that ultimately descend from alchemy, the e has been restored in spelling after Late Greek chēmeîa. Compare chemist, chemistry, and see the note at chemist.

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of chemic was in 1576

See more words from the same year