chemicallyadv.
/ˈkɛmᵻkli/, U.S. /ˈkɛmək(ə)li/ 1.
a. By a chemical or (in early use) alchemical process; using chemical methods, by means of chemicals; as regards chemistry. In early use the terms chemically and alchemically are often indistinguishable: see note at chemistry n.
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the world > matter > alchemy > [adverb]
alchemically1605
chemically1616
spagyrically1621
the world > matter > chemistry > chemistry as a science > [adverb]
chemically1616
1616 J. Deacon Tobacco Tortured To Rdr. sig. **4v Their vapouring euacuations (very chymically extracted from the fennish fumes of their filthie Tobacco) haue now too too fearefully ouerwhelmed their blindfold braines.
1671 H. Stubbe Epistolary Disc. Phlebotomy 17 As great a Pyrotechnist as he would seem, 'tis past his Art to demonstrate, that it is a Spirit, or Chimically to educe a Spiritus rubens out of it.
1763 A. Monro Anat. Human Bones (ed. 7) i. 17 The Marrow as well as the other Fat of the Body chemically analized yields..a considerable Proportion of an acid Liquor.
1846 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces 25 The substance..is..precipitated..chemically speaking in an unaltered state.
1918 Science 22 Nov. 522/1 Although molecular oxygen does not appear to be consumed in this process, the production of lactic acid from carbohydrates is nevertheless chemically an oxidation.
2005 C. Tudge Secret Life Trees xi. 258 Nitrogen gas is chemically combined with hydrogen (derived from water) to form ammonia.
b. By means of an intoxicating or psychoactive substance or drug; through narcotics or alcohol.
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1928 Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 21 1347 Why alcoholism causes euphoria, and also why it acts as a narcotic... What systems of neurones are directly affected in chemically induced euphoria?
1958 A. Huxley in R. Thruelsen & J. Kobler Adventures of Mind (1959) 89 Chemically induced euphoria could easily become a threat to individual liberty; but chemically induced vigor and chemically heightened intelligence could easily be liberty's strongest bulwark.
1969 J. Houston in Psychedelic Drugs: Proc. Conf. Hahnemann Med. Coll. & Hospital of Philadelphia 2 A vast range of phenomena normally excluded enter into the chemically altered consciousness.
1988 W. Hamilton Lap of Luxury i. v. 33 Happily a butler with a tray of Sunday Mornings [sc. an alcoholic drink] appeared, to chemically reduce the tension.
2005 Guardian 5 Aug. (Friday Review section) 18/4 The album's sleeve is graced by two generously bearded—and perhaps chemically refreshed—chaps dressed as vicars.
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1618 T. Bretnor tr. A. Sala Opiologia B3 v They must of necessitie prooue..also that their milde and gentle Physicke Chymically prepared, becommeth more dangerous then before.
?1698 Protestant Mercury 18 Feb. 2/2 The whole work Galenically or Chymically performed.
1739 tr. T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Domestica 193 Cornachius Pisanus has wrote an entire Treatise, concerning this Powder, under the following Title: viz. The Method of curing safely, expeditiously, agreeably, chemically, and galenically, all Diseases of the human Body.
Compounds
chemically dependent adj. (a) addicted to a chemical substance, esp. drugs or alcohol; characterized by chemical dependency; (b) Agriculture (chiefly depreciative) relying on the use of agricultural chemicals; non-organic.
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1971 Lincoln (Nebraska) Star 25 Dec. 6/1 He explained that a chemically dependent person has surrounded his dependency with a self-deceiving set of rigid defenses.
1984 N.Y. Times 23 Dec. e12/3 Are our chemically dependent agricultural systems either safe or sustainable?
1991 D. Stafford & L. Hodgkinson Codependency 45 Typically in such a household, the mother will be a codependent, having possibly herself come from a chemically-dependent background, which is why she has chosen an addict for a husband.
2000 J. Opie Ogallala i. 46 The transformation of the High Plains grassland into a bonanza of high-yield, chemically dependent, mechanized cropland.
2002 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (Electronic ed.) 24 Mar. Hopkins provides..two other programs for chemically dependent students and for emotionally troubled students.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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