chemic

English

Alternative forms

• chymic [from 16th c.]
• chymick [16th-18th c.]

Etymology

From Late Latin chemicus, chimicus, chymicus.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈkɛmɪk/

  Rhymes: -ɛmɪk

Adjective

chemic (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Practising chemistry (or, earlier, alchemy); pertaining to these sciences.
2. (obsolete) Produced through alchemy; counterfeit.
   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I.217:

     a chymic treasure / Is glittering Youth, which I have spent betimes— / My heart in passion, and my head on rhymes.

3. (now rare) Chemical.

Noun

chemic (plural chemics)

1. (now rare) A chemist or (earlier) an alchemist.
   • 1633, John Donne, "The Comparison":

     like the Chymicks masculine equall fire, / Which in the Lymbecks warme wombe doth inspire / Into th'earths worthlesse part a soule of gold […]

2. (obsolete) A solution of chloride of lime, used in bleaching.