Definition of officinal

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of·fic·i·nal    (-fs-nl, ôf-snl, f-) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Readily available in pharmacies; not requiring special preparation.
2. Recognized by a pharmacopoeia: an officinal herb.

NOUN:

An officinal drug.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Medieval Latin officnlis, of a storeroom or workshop, from Latin officna, workshop, alteration of opificna, from opifex, opific-, workman : opus, work; see op- in Indo-European roots + facere, to do; see dh- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
of·fici·nal·ly(Adverb)