Definition of chemical

The word "chemical" has its roots in ancient Greece. The term "chēmia" (χημία) referred to the process of transmutation, or changing one substance into another, which was a key concept in alchemy. Alchemists believed that they could turn base metals into gold and discover the elixir of life through this process. In the 16th century, the term "chymia" was introduced from the Greek word "chēmia" and was used to describe the study of these transmutative processes. As the field of chemistry evolved and the concept of transmutation was deemed impossible, the term "chemistry" emerged to describe the study of the properties, composition, and reactions of matter. Today, the word "chemical" is used to describe anything related to this field, from substances and reactions to processes and industries. Despite its origins in alchemy, the word "chemical" has shed its mystical connotations and now refers to a widely recognized scientific discipline.