chemism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareHistorical/Philosophical scientific term
Quick answer
What does “chemism” mean?
The fundamental chemical force or process responsible for the interaction and transformation of substances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fundamental chemical force or process responsible for the interaction and transformation of substances.
A term used in historical and philosophical contexts, particularly 19th-century science and philosophy (e.g., Hegel, Schelling), referring to the inherent, dynamic principle of chemical affinity and activity governing material change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the term is equally archaic and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, philosophical, obsolete. Might be encountered in readings of German idealist philosophy or history of science.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both; virtually absent from contemporary corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “chemism” in a Sentence
[the] chemism of [something][adjective] chemismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chemism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The chemistic principles were debated by natural philosophers.
American English
- His theory involved a chemistic view of nature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/philosophical discussions of 19th-century science.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete in modern chemistry; of historical interest only.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chemism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chemism”
- Using it in place of modern terms like 'chemical reaction' or 'reactivity'.
- Assuming it is a standard term in contemporary science.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete historical and philosophical term. Modern chemistry uses terms like 'chemical reaction', 'reactivity', or 'affinity'.
Almost exclusively in academic texts dealing with the history of science, German idealism (Hegel, Schelling), or 19th-century natural philosophy.
No. It refers to a specific, archaic concept of an inherent chemical force, not the general science or subject ('chemistry').
It is pronounced KEM-iz-uhm, with the primary stress on the first syllable, similar to 'mechanism'.
The fundamental chemical force or process responsible for the interaction and transformation of substances.
Chemism is usually historical/philosophical scientific term in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CHEMisM' = CHEMical MechanISM: the inner mechanism of chemical change.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHEMISM IS A HIDDEN DRIVER / CHEMISM IS THE SOUL OF MATTER (in its historical usage).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'chemism' most appropriately used today?