apothecaries
|a-poth-e-car-ies|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑːθəkəriz/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒθəkəriz/
(apothecary)
medicine seller
Etymology
'apothecary' originates from Latin (via Medieval Latin), specifically the Medieval Latin word 'apothecarius', ultimately from Greek 'apothēkē' where the root meant 'storehouse' or 'repository'.
'apothecarius' changed into Old French/Anglo-Norman forms and Middle English 'apothecarie', which eventually became the modern English word 'apothecary' (plural 'apothecaries').
Initially, it meant 'keeper of a storehouse' or 'one who keeps supplies'; over time it narrowed to mean 'seller or preparer of medicinal remedies' and now corresponds to 'pharmacist' or a historical drug-seller.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'apothecary': persons or shops that prepared and sold medicines; early pharmacists or drug-sellers (often historical or old-fashioned).
In the 17th century, apothecaries prepared remedies, mixed prescriptions, and often acted as medical advisers.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 16:36