Etymology Map
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Pharmacy

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a shop where medicines are prepared and sold

Where does the word "pharmacy" come from? It comes from Greek pharmakeia, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pharmakeia
Greek · ancient
"use of drugs"
from 'pharmakon', a drug, which also meant poison and a magic charm
2
Stage 2 of 3
pharmacia
Medieval Latin · medieval
"medicine"
used for medicines and their preparation
3
Stage 3 of 3
pharmacy
English · 1300s
"a shop for medicines"
the sense of a drugstore dates from the 1830s
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Read the full story

Pharmacy’s story begins in Greek: pharmakeia meant “use of drugs.” From 'pharmakon', a drug, which also meant poison and a magic charm. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as pharmacia. Used for medicines and their preparation. It reached English by 1300s as pharmacy. The sense of a drugstore dates from the 1830s. Today, pharmacy means a shop where medicines are prepared and sold.