Added 8 October 2026
chemist
/ˈkɛmɪst/ noun
Latin root: chimista First recorded: 1562 Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about chemist at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A scientist who specializes in chemistry.
- A health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs.
Origin
First attested 1562, borrowed from French chimiste, from Medieval Latin chimista, from earlier alchimista (literally “alchemist”), from Arabic الْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ), with article اَلْ (al-) + Ancient Greek χυμεία (khumeía, “art of alloying metals”), from χύμα (khúma, “fluid”), from χυμός (khumós, “juice”), from χέω (khéō, “to pour”). The pronunciation with initial /k/ is based on the Graeco-Latin etymology rather than on the French word, where the pronunciation with /ʃ/ is based on native French orthography. As a synonym for pharmacy, a metonymous use of the proprietor to stand for their shop.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)