materia medica

noun

ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˈme-di-kə How to pronounce materia medica (audio)
1
: substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine
2
a
: a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs
b
: a treatise on materia medica

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, medical matter

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of materia medica was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near materia medica

materials science

materia medica

materia prima

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Materia medica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materia%20medica. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

materia medica

noun
ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca mə-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈmed-i-kə How to pronounce materia medica (audio)
1
: substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine
2
a
: a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs
b
: a treatise on materia medica
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