materia medica

noun
ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca | \ mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˈme-di-kə How to pronounce materia medica (audio) \

Definition of materia medica

1 : substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine
2a : a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs
b : a treatise on materia medica

First Known Use of materia medica

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for materia medica

New Latin, literally, medical matter

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More Definitions for materia medica

materia medica

noun
ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca | \ mə-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈmed-i-kə How to pronounce materia medica (audio) \

Medical Definition of materia medica

1 : substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine
2a : a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs
b : a treatise on materia medica