-trē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Late Greek chēmeia alchemy) of earlier chimistry, chymistry, from chimist, chymist + -ry
1.
a. obsolete : alchemy
b. obsolete : iatrochemistry
c. : a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the transformations that they undergo — see inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry
2.
a. : the composition and chemical properties of a substance
the chemistry of iron
b. : chemical processes and phenomena (as of an organism)
blood chemistry
the chemistry of fungi
3.
a. : peculiar makeup
the chemistry of modern diplomacy
b. : agitation , unrest
there was a chemistry in his blood stirring him on to write — E.A.Weeks
c. : an often inexplicable or intangible function or process
struggle against the chemistries … of desire and self-love — Bruce Marshall