apothecary
noun
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Apothecaries, Bodegas, and Boutiques
Apothecary, bodega, and boutique may not look very similar, but they are all related both in meaning and in origin. Each of these words can be traced back to a Latin word for “storehouse” (apotheca), and each one refers in English to a retail establishment of some sort. Although bodega initially meant “a storehouse for wine,” it now most commonly refers to a grocery store in an urban area, especially one that specializes in Hispanic groceries. Boutique has also taken on new meanings: its first sense in English (“a small retail store”) is still current, but it now may also denote “a small company that offers highly specialized products or services.” Of the three words, apothecary has changed the least; it has gone from referring solely to the person who sells drugs or medicines to also naming the store where such goods are sold.
Examples of apothecary in a Sentence
Tiffany Layne, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
Nearly every live-action Star Wars project has a character who falls into this category, a pattern that became clearer with the introduction of Manny Jacinto’s twitchy, nefarious, utterly captivating apothecary, Qimir, in The Acolyte.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 19 June 2024
What started as an apothecary back in 1851 in New York City, Kiehl's, according to company lore, was one of the first American pharmacies to showcase full ingredient lists on its product labels — a big deal in a time when government transparency wasn't the status quo.
—Esther Newman, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Sally’s powers are tangible and rooted in her day-to-day practices of owning an apothecary, while Gillian’s strength lies in her charisma, allure and emotional depth.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Apothecary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apothecary. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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apothecary
noun
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