phytochemical
|phy-to-chem-i-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌfaɪtoʊˈkɛmɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌfaɪtəʊˈkɛmɪkəl/
plant-derived chemical compound
Etymology
'phytochemical' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'phyto-' meaning 'plant' and 'chemical' meaning 'relating to chemistry'.
'phytochemical' was formed in modern English by combining the Greek-derived prefix 'phyto-' with 'chemical', and became widely used in scientific contexts in the late 20th century.
Initially, it referred generally to any chemical derived from plants, but over time it has come to specifically mean plant compounds that may have health benefits.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chemical compound that occurs naturally in plants, especially one that is biologically active and may affect human health.
Many fruits and vegetables contain beneficial phytochemicals.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or denoting chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants.
Phytochemical research has increased in recent years.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/02 16:20