chemists
|chem-ist-s|
/ˈkɛmɪsts/
(chemist)
science of substances
Etymology
'chemist' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'chimiste' (from Medieval Latin 'chymista'), where the root 'khēmeia/khym-' meant 'alchemy' or an 'alchemical mixture'.
'chemist' changed from Old French 'chimiste' and Middle English forms such as 'chemiest'/'chemyist' and eventually became the modern English word 'chemist'.
Initially, it meant 'a practitioner of alchemy' (a person working with alchemical mixtures); over time it evolved into its current meanings: 'a scientist of chemistry' and also 'a person/shop dealing in medicines (pharmacist/pharmacy)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'chemist': scientists who study or practice chemistry (workers who research, experiment with, or apply chemical substances).
Many chemists contributed to the research that led to the new material.
Synonyms
Noun 2
plural of 'chemist' (chiefly British): people who prepare and sell medicines; pharmacists.
The chemists recommended a milder lotion for her skin.
Synonyms
Noun 3
plural of 'chemist' (colloquial, chiefly British): shops that sell medicines and related items (equivalent to 'pharmacies' or 'drugstores').
There are several chemists on this high street.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/17 06:24