chemical

chemical /chem·i·cal/ (kem´i-k'l)

1. pertaining to chemistry.

2. a substance composed of chemical elements, or obtained by chemical processes.

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chem·i·cal (km-kl)

adj. Abbr. chem.

1. Of or relating to chemistry.

2. Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.

n.

1. A substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.

2. A drug, especially an illicit or addictive one.

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chemi·cal·ly adv.

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chemical

1. pertaining to chemistry.

2. a substance composed of chemical elements, or obtained by chemical processes. See also toxin.

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chemical adjuvant

a chemical added to another to improve its activity. For example, mineral gels added to vaccines. May also be a chemical added to feed to improve digestion, e.g. monensin in ruminants. These are more commonly referred to as additives. See also adjuvant.

agricultural chemical

chemical used in agriculture. Includes pesticides, anthelmintics, fertilizers, algaecides, herbicides, soil fumigants and the like.

chemical environment

that part of the animals' environment that is composed of chemicals. For farm livestock this includes fertilizers, defoliants, worm drenches, insect sprays, adjuvants to feed. For companion animals see household chemical (below).

household chemical

the roster of chemicals that one can expect to find in the average household. Includes insect sprays and repellents, snail bait, rodenticide, garden sprays, human medicines and the like.

chemical pneumonitis

results from aspiration of gastric acids.

chemical senses

see olfaction (2), taste.

chemical shearing

causing the fleece of sheep to be shed by the administration of a chemical substance to the sheep. Cyclophosphamide and mimosine have been used experimentally but there is no commercially available system.

chemical spoilage

occurs in preserved foods, especially canned ones. Is usually the result of interaction between the contents and an imperfect container. There may be gas produced, e.g. hydrogen swells, or discoloration of the tin.

chemical warfare

agents used include: (1) systemic poisons, e.g. hydrocyanic acid; (2) lung irritants, e.g. chlorine, phosgene; (3) lacrimators (weeping stimulators), e.g. CN, CAP, CS; (4) sternutators (sneeze stimulators); (5) vesicants, e.g. mustards, nitrogen mustards, arsenic mustards and nettle gases; (6) nerve gases, e.g. organophosphorus compounds.