Chem

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Informally, the study of matter and its reactions ; a person who is trained in chemistry and works with chemicals
2. Short for chemistry, the science of substances and their changes ; short for chemist, a specialist who studies or handles those substances
3. Colloquially, the branch of science dealing with elements and compounds ; an informal name for someone who practices that science professionally

Etymology: "Chem" is a clipping of "chemist" or "chemistry," the shortened forms that speakers produce by dropping the endings of longer words. Clipping is a common and informal process: "lab" from "laboratory," "info" from "information," and "prof" from "professor" follow the same pattern. The source word behind "chem" is "chemistry," which itself came into English from Medieval Latin "alchimia," the ancestor of "alchemy," and so the clipped form carries a long-lost medieval lineage in its shorter shape. Because "chem" is a clipping, its meaning is simply that of the full word it shortens. In casual speech it can refer to the study of matter and its reactions, or to a person working with chemicals, depending on context. Students often use it in school settings, where the shorter form signals familiarity with the subject.

Synonyms: chemistry