/ ˈkemɪkl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
connected with chemistry :
a chemical element
the chemical industry
2.
produced by or using processes which involve changes to atoms or molecules :
chemical reactions / processes
► chem·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb :
The raw sewage is chemically treated.
■ noun
a substance obtained by or used in a chemical process
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French chimique or modern Latin chimicus , chymicus , from medieval Latin alchymicus , from alchimia , from Arabic al-kīmiyā' , from al the + kīmiyā' (from Greek khēmia , khēmeia art of transmuting metals).