a. Forms: 6–7 chimicall, 7 chimical, chymicall, chemicall, 7–9 chymical, 8– chemical. [f. as CHEMIC a. + -AL, or perh. f. chemic-us CHEMIC as sb. + -AL.]
† 1. Of the alchemist, alchemical. Obs.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., I. § 99. Distillatorie vessels, furnaces, and other chimicall instrumentes.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1865), 33. The Chimicall philosophers defyne the fermente to bee ‘animam’ the sowle or lyfe of the philosophers stoone.
1638. Featly, Strict. Lyndom., II. 9. The fire of Purgatory is rightly termed … chymicall, because by means of this fire, they extract much gold.
1747. Johnson, Plan Eng. Dict. The jargon of Geber and his chymical followers.
† 2. Relating to the Paracelsian theory or practice of medicine, as opposed to the ‘Galenical.’ (Cf. CHEMIATRIC.) Obs.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. i. IV. i. Paracelsus is so stiff for those chimical medicines … deriding … Hippocrates, Galen, and all their followers.
1741. Watts, Improv. Mind, xvii. § 3 (1801), 145. Whether chymical or galenical preparations.
1782. Johnson, Lett. Mrs. Thrale, 8 May. I am of the chymical sect, which holds phlebotomy in abhorrence.
3. Relating or belonging to the practice of chemistry; (of substances) obtained by the operations of chemistry. Chemical works: manufactories where chemical processes are carried on for commercial purposes, such as alkali works, etc.
1576. Baker, Jewell of Health, Pref. The vertues of medicines by chimicall distillation, are made … of more efficacie.
1605. Timme, Quersit., I. ix. 37. The chymicall salte.
1673. Ray, Journ. Low C., 66. The Chymical examination of these Waters.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 120, ¶ 14. A Chymical Operation.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Ability, Wks. (Bohn), II. 42. Stall-feeding … converts the stable to a chemical factory.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 36. The microscope and the chemical balance.
1879. G. Prescott, Sp. Telephone, i. The chemical telegraph was invented by Coxe.
4. Of, pertaining to, or relating to the science of chemistry, or to the substances and phenomena of which it treats. Chemical affinity, analysis, attraction, combination, equivalent, formula, etc.: see AFFINITY, ANALYSIS, etc.
1791. Smeaton, Edystone L. (1793), § 217. To act on either material, so as to alter their chymical action on one another.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem., i. (1814), 10. The chemical composition of plants.
1850. Daubeny, Atom. The., ii. (ed. 2), 69. The combining proportions … are termed chemical equivalents.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. § 2. 240. Beyond the violet end of the spectrum we have obscure rays capable of producing chemical changes.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 76. The discovery of the chemical composition of the atmosphere.
5. Of persons: Engaged in the practice or study of chemistry; versed in chemistry.
c. 1615. Raleigh, Last Speech (1651), 148. A Chimical Frenchman.
1791. Smeaton, Edystone L. (1793), § 192. How to analyze limestones … my chemical friends will be at no loss.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem., i. (1814), 10. The experiments of a number of chemical philosophers.
6. as sb. (Chiefly in pl.) A substance obtained or used in chemical operations.
1747. Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), Pref. p. xi. Chymicals, such as they neither had Skill, nor Fortune, nor Time to prepare.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 30. Chemicals of various kinds were stored in other parts of the building.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 145/1. His chemicals are as the colours of the painter.
