*chemistry*

n. Alchemy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the branch of science involving astronomy and chemistry which studies the chemical composition, chemical reactions, and evolution of matter in outer space. -- as`tro*chem"ic*al a. -- as`tro*chem"ic*al*ly adv. [ PJC ]

n. [ Gr. bi`os life + E. chemistry. ] (Biol.) The chemistry of living organisms; the chemistry of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Chemist. See Alchemy. ] 1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See Atom, Molecule. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A treatise on chemistry. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inorganic chemistry, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. --
Organic chemistry, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. --
Physiological chemistry, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. --
Practical chemistry, or
Applied chemistry, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use. --
Pure chemistry, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That branch of science which treats of the relation of electricity to chemical changes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + chemistry. ] The study of the chemical composition of, and of actual or possible chemical changes in, the crust of the earth. -- Ge`o*chem"ic*al a. -- Ge`o*chem"ist n. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. Chemistry applied to, or used in, medicine; -- used especially with reference to the doctrines in the school of physicians in Flanders, in the 17th century, who held that health depends upon the proper chemical relations of the fluids of the body, and who endeavored to explain the conditions of health or disease by chemical principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + chemistry. ] (Chem.) The science which treats of the chemical properties, actions or relations of substances in quantity; -- distinguished from micro-chemistry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + chemistry. ] The application of chemical tests to minute objects or portions of matter, usually assisted by sensitive instruments; -- distinguished from macro-chemistry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) That branch of chemistry which deals with the isolation, identification, structure elucidation, and study of the chemical characteristics of chemical substances produced by living organisms. [ PJC ]

n. [ Photo- + chemistry. ] (Chem.) The branch of chemistry which relates to the effect of light in producing chemical changes, as in photography. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Phyto- + chemistry. ] Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable chemistry. R. Hunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Stereo- + chemistry. ] (Chem.) Chemistry considered with reference to the space relations of atoms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Thermo- + chemistry. ] That branch of chemical science which includes the investigation of the various relations existing between chemical action and that manifestation of force termed heat, or the determination of the heat evolved by, or employed in, chemical actions. [ 1913 Webster ]