Upjohn

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A proper noun referring to a pharmaceutical company historically known for producing medications and engaging in healthcare research; also used to denote its corporate identity and products
2. The name of a former American drug manufacturer recognized for developing and distributing various pharmaceutical products and contributing to medical advancements
3. A firm historically involved in the pharmaceutical industry, associated with drug development, production, and healthcare innovations under its brand name

Etymology: "Upjohn" is an anglicized form of the Welsh "ap," meaning "son of," combined with the given name John. Many English surnames were formed this way, such as Powell from "ap Hywel" and Pritchard from "ap Richard," with the Welsh particle gradually fused into the following name. As a common noun, the word now denotes a former drug manufacturer, because it was the name of a pharmaceutical company. That firm operated independently until it merged into a larger company in 1995, and the name survives mainly in references to it.