chemistry
n. C / Un. the scientific study of what things are made of and how they react with each other. It can also mean the special connection or 'spark' between two people.
n. the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed and their reactions; also used figuratively to describe the emotional rapport between individuals.
We study the chemistry of water in school.
The two actors have great chemistry on screen, making their relationship feel very believable to the audience.
While the laboratory focuses on organic chemistry and the synthesis of new compounds, the success of the research team depends largely on the personal chemistry between the lead scientists.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰew- Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Ancient Greek -μᾰ (-mă) Ancient Greek χῠ́μᾰ (khŭ́mă) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ία (-ía) Ancient Greek χυμείᾱ (khumeíā)bor. Arabic الْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ)bor. Medieval Latin alchēmia ▲ Ancient Greek χυμείᾱ (khumeíā)influ. New Latin chimiabor. Middle French chymie French chimie Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ίζω (-ízō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ιστής (-istḗs)der. Latin -istabor. French -iste French chimistebor. English chemist English -ry English chemistry First coined 1605, from chemist + -ry. From chemist, chymist, from Latin alchimista, from Arabic اَلْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ), from article اَل (al-) + Ancient Greek χυμεία (khumeía, “art of alloying metals”), from χύμα (khúma, “fluid”), from χυμός (khumós, “juice”), from χέω (khéō, “to pour”).
Uncountable when referring to the scientific field or emotional rapport; countable when referring to specific chemical properties or systems.