officinal

comparative more officinal · superlative most officinal

1. datedMedicinal.

   The leaves are the officinal part;

   1850, Robert Eglesfeld Griffith, A Universal Formulary, page 371

   1 more example

   She was the compound extract of all that was chemically pure and officinal—the dispensary contained nothing equal to her.

   1906, O. Henry, The Four Million, page 83

2. obsoleterareUsed in a shop, or belonging to it.

   Millepora polymorpha: British officinal Coral. […] This is the Coral of the Shops, and is found in great plenty in the seas round these islands, especially near Falmouth, and the Isle of Man.

   1786, John Ellis, Daniel Charles Solander, The Natural History of Many Curious and Uncommon Zoophytes

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   In this Part of the Town, are also three Convents, seventeen Churches, an Academy, a Printing-House, a Library, the Mint, and the Grand Dispensatory, which last is a very magnificent Building, and the Officinal Furniture is very rich, for the Pots are all of China, and the Glasses Chrystal.

   1738, Philipp Johann von Strahlenberg, An Historico-geographical Description of the North and Eastern Parts of Europe and Asia, page 425

   Dr. Kaempfer further observes, that the quantity of Varnish obtained from this officinal Anacardium tree is so great, as not only to serve to vernish all the untensils of China, Tonquin, and Japan, but that it is exported in wooden vessels to Batavia, and several other parts of India.

   1770, Philosophical Transactions, giving some Account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours of the Ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world., page 413

   I had always, in my officinal state, been kept in awe by lace and embroidery; and imagined that to fright away these unwelcome familiarities, nothing was necessary, but that I should, by splendour of dress, proclaim my reunion with a higher rank.

   1796, Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy, The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.:, page 334

3. obsoletepharmaceuticalKept in stock by apothecaries; said of such drugs and medicines as may be obtained without special preparation or compounding; not magistral.