Etymologically
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pharmaceutical

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 15:54. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌfɑː.məˈs(j)uː.tɪ.kl̩/, /ˌfɑː.məˈkjuː.tɪ.kl̩/ (UK); /ˌfɑɹ.məˈs(j)u.tɪ.kl̩/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is from Late Latin pharmaceuticus (“of drugs”) with the English suffix -al,[2][3][4] from Ancient Greek φαρμακευτικός (pharmakeutikós),[4][2] from φαρμακεύς (pharmakeús, “preparer of drugs, poisoner”),[4][2] from φάρμακον (phármakon, “drug”) (see pharmacy).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Relating to pharmacy or the art of preparing drugs: 1648 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1640s in Etymonline;[6][2][4] Merriam-Webster dates it to 1636.[3] The shorter pharmaceutic is from the 1540s.[4]

Semantic evolution

The noun, a medicinal drug, especially in the plural pharmaceuticals, is attested by 1881.[4][6] The adverb pharmaceutically is from 1770.[6]

Timeline

  • 1540s – pharmaceutic.[4]
  • 1648 – pharmaceutical (adjective).[6][2]
  • 1881 – a medicinal drug.[6][4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Relating to pharmacy, or to the preparation, use or sale of medicinal drugs.

Noun

  1. A medicinal drug or preparation.

Word family

  • pharmaceutically
  • cosmeceutical
  • nutraceutical
  • biopharmaceutical
  • nonpharmaceutical
  • radiopharmaceutical
  • pharm

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press