apothecary

apothecary
apothecary (n.) mid-14c., "shopkeeper, especially one who stores, compounds, and sells medicaments," from O.Fr. apotecaire (13c., Mod.Fr. apothicaire), from L.L. apothecarius "storekeeper," from L. apotheca "storehouse," from Gk. apotheke "barn, storehouse," lit. "a place where things are put away," from apo- "away" (see APO- (Cf. apo-)) + tithenai "to put," from PIE root *dhe- "to put, to do" (see FACTITIOUS (Cf. factitious)). Same root produced Fr. boutique and Sp. bodega. Cognate compounds produced Skt. apadha- "concealment," O.Pers. 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.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Apothecary — (IPAEng|əˈpɒθɪkəri) is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients a role now served by a pharmacist.In addition to pharmacy responsibilities, the apothecary… …   Wikipedia

  • Apothecary — A*poth e*ca*ry, n.; pl. {Apothecaries}. [OE. apotecarie, fr. LL. apothecarius, fr. L. apotheca storehouse, Gr. apo, fr. ? to put away; ? from + ? to put: cf. F. apothicaire, OF. apotecaire. See {Thesis}.] One who prepares and sells drugs or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apothecary — [ə päth′ə ker΄ē] n. pl. apothecaries [ME apotecarie < OFr < ML apothecarius, shopkeeper, apothecary (in LL, warehouseman) < L apotheca, storehouse < Gr apothēkē < apo , away + tithenai, to put: see DO1] Old fashioned 1. a… …   English World dictionary

  • apothecary — pharmacist, *druggist, chemist …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • apothecary — ► NOUN (pl. apothecaries) archaic ▪ a person who prepared and sold medicines. ORIGIN Latin apothecarius from Greek apoth k storehouse …   English terms dictionary

  • Apothecary Rx — Infobox Album Name = Apothocary Rx Type = Studio Artist = Carl Hancock Rux Released = June 1, 2004 Recorded = Genre = R B/Electronic Length = 57.30 Label = Giant Step Producer = Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5… …   Wikipedia

  • apothecary — [14] Originally, an apothecary was simply a shopkeeper – the word comes via Old French from late Latin apothēcārius, which was based on Greek apothékē ‘storehouse’ (source, via French, of boutique [18] and via Spanish of bodega [19]), a… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • apothecary — UK [əˈpɒθək(ə)rɪ] / US [əˈpɑθəˌkerɪ] noun [countable] Word forms apothecary : singular apothecary plural apothecaries an old word for someone whose job was to prepare and sell medicines …   English dictionary

  • apothecary — [14] Originally, an apothecary was simply a shopkeeper – the word comes via Old French from late Latin apothēcārius, which was based on Greek apothékē ‘storehouse’ (source, via French, of boutique [18] and via Spanish of bodega [19]), a… …   Word origins

  • apothecary — noun /əˈpɒθəkəɹi,əˈpɑθəˌkɛəɻi/ a) A person who makes and provides/sells drugs and/or medicines. O true Apothecarie!Thy drugs are quicke. Thus with a kiſſe I die. b) A drugstore or pharmacy. The Russian people as a whole almost revered the… …   Wiktionary

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