chemical — [kem′i kəl] adj. [ CHEMIC + AL] 1. of or having to do with chemistry 2. made by or used in chemistry 3. operated or made by the use of chemicals [chemical burns ] ☆ 4. of or involving the use of a drug, alcoholic liquor, etc. [chemical… … English World dictionary
chemical — Ⅰ. chemical UK US /ˈkemɪkəl/ noun [C] ► any basic substance which is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules: »The government has pledged to reduce the amount of chemicals used in food production. »Each year,… … Financial and business terms
Chemical — Chem ic*al, n. A substance used for producing a chemical effect; a reagent. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
chemical — (adj.) 1570s, from chemic of alchemy (a worn down derivative of M.L. alchimicus; see ALCHEMY (Cf. alchemy)) + AL (Cf. al) (1). Related: Chemically … Etymology dictionary
chemical — [adj] concerned with atom and molecule change actinic, alchemical, enzymatic, synthesized, synthetic, synthetical; concept 536 … New thesaurus
chemical — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ relating to chemistry or chemicals. ► NOUN ▪ a distinct compound or substance, especially one which has been artificially prepared or purified. DERIVATIVES chemically adverb. ORIGIN French chimique, from Latin alchimia alchemy … English terms dictionary
chemical — chemically, adv. /kem i keuhl/, n. 1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process. 2. chemicals, Slang. narcotic or mind altering drugs or substances. adj. 3. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals: a… … Universalium
chemical — Relating to chemistry. * * * chem·i·cal kem i kəl adj 1) of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry 2 a) acting or operated or produced by chemicals b) detectable by chemical means chem·i·cal·ly i k(ə )lē adv chemical n … Medical dictionary
chemical — [[t]ke̱mɪk(ə)l[/t]] ♦♦ chemicals 1) ADJ: ADJ n Chemical means involving or resulting from a reaction between two or more substances, or relating to the substances that something consists of. ...chemical reactions that cause ozone destruction.… … English dictionary
chemical — adj. & n. adj. of, made by, or employing chemistry or chemicals. n. a substance obtained or used in chemistry. Phrases and idioms: chemical bond the force holding atoms together in a molecule or crystal. chemical engineer one engaged in chemical… … Useful english dictionary