Synonyms for apothecary


Grammar : Noun
Spell : uh-poth-uh-ker-ee
Phonetic Transcription : əˈpɒθ əˌkɛr i


Définition of apothecary

Origin :
  • mid-14c., "shopkeeper, especially one who stores, compounds, and sells medicaments," from Old French apotecaire (13c., Modern French apothicaire), from Late Latin apothecarius "storekeeper," from Latin apotheca "storehouse," from Greek apotheke "barn, storehouse," literally "a place where things are put away," from apo- "away" (see apo-) + tithenai "to put," from PIE root *dhe- "to put, to do" (see factitious). Same root produced French boutique and Spanish bodega. Cognate compounds produced Sanskrit apadha- "concealment," Old Persian apadana- "palace."
  • Drugs and herbs being among the chief items of non-perishable goods, the meaning narrowed 17c. to "druggist" (Apothecaries' Company of London separated from the Grocers' in 1617). Apothecaries formerly were notorious for "the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language" [Francis Grose, "A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," 1796]. Hence, Apothecary's Latin, barbarously mangled, also known as Dog Latin.
  • noun pharmacist
Example sentences :
  • What I like about Mr. Fleurant, my apothecary, is that his bills are always civil.
  • Extract from : « The Imaginary Invalid » by Molire
  • So that, if your little girl were old enough, you would give her to an apothecary?
  • Extract from : « The Imaginary Invalid » by Molire
  • For Tom, after much cogitation, the profession of an apothecary had been selected.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • Every man's house is now not only his castle, but his apothecary shop.
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 11, June 11, 1870 » by Various
  • He was the son of an apothecary of Rudkjobing, in the province of Larzeland.
  • Extract from : « The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 » by Various
  • And Peter went off to the apothecary for his pretexted drugs.
  • Extract from : « Captain Blood » by Rafael Sabatini
  • Huston's, the apothecary, always full of people at post hour.
  • Extract from : « The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) » by Charles James Lever
  • The apothecary was then paid for his trouble, and sent away.
  • Extract from : « Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846 » by Various
  • Again the apothecary examined the body, and again he shook his head dolefully.
  • Extract from : « The Midnight Queen » by May Agnes Fleming
  • But the apothecary, cringing and smiling, faltered that he was—that he was coming to the house.
  • Extract from : « In Kings' Byways » by Stanley J. Weyman

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