materia medica

noun

ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˈme-di-kə 

1

: substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine

2

a

: a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs

b

: a treatise on materia medica

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, medical matter

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

materia medica

noun

ma·​te·​ria med·​i·​ca mə-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈmed-i-kə 

1

: substances used in the composition of medical remedies : drugs, medicine

2

a

: a branch of medical science that deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation of drugs

b

: a treatise on materia medica