Definition of materia medica

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ma·te·ri·a med·i·ca    (m-tîr- md-k) KEY 

NOUN:

1. (used with a sing. verb) The scientific study of medicinal drugs and their sources, preparation, and use.
2. (used with a pl. verb) Substances used in the preparation of medicinal drugs.

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ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin mteria medica (translation of Greek hul itrik) : Latin mteria, material + Latin medica, feminine of medicus, medical