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materia medica Definition

ma·teria medi·ca (mə tirē ə medi kə)

noun

  1. the drugs and other remedial substances used in medicine
  2. the branch of medical science that deals with such substances, their uses, etc.

Etymology: ML < L materia, matter + medica, fem. of medicus, medical

materia medica Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: It contains more than 350 monographs describing the functions, indications, combinations and applications of commonly used materia medica.

Modifies a noun

  • section: Each chapter in the materia medica section has its own relevant safety data, including cautions, contraindications and dosage.
  • collection: Current work focuses on its materia medica collections, especially of Cinchona.