autochemical
|au-to-chem-i-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtəˈkɛmɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəʊˈkɛmɪkəl/
self-originating chemical
Etymology
'autochemical' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound formed from the Greek prefix 'auto-' and the adjective 'chemical', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'chemical' derives from New Latin/Greek meaning 'alchemy/chemistry'.
'autochemical' was coined in scientific English in the 19th–20th century by combining the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos') with 'chemical' (from Medieval Latin/Greek roots 'chimica'/'khēmia'), resulting in the modern English formation 'autochemical'.
Initially, the components meant 'self' + 'relating to chemistry'; over time the compound came to be used specifically for processes or products generated by internal chemical reactions, a usage that remains in technical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or produced by chemical processes originating within a system or organism (self-generated chemical processes).
The researchers observed autochemical changes in the sample without adding any external reagents.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
describing phenomena or products that arise from internal chemical reactions (often used in materials science and chemistry to contrast with externally applied treatments).
The coating developed autochemical properties during curing, altering its durability.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/24 06:48