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In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people. Preface to 1828 Dictionary
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CHEMISTRY. [See Chimistry.]
That branch of science which treats of
the composition of substances, and of the changes which they
undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the
molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or
mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are
not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of
subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes
in the composition and constitution of molecules. See
Atom, Molecule.
* Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified. An application of chemical theory and
method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the
chemistry of iron; the chemistry of
indigo.
A treatise on chemistry.
* This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography. Inorganic chemistry, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. -- Organic chemistry, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. -- Physiological chemistry, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. -- Practical chemistry, or Applied chemistry, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use. -- Pure chemistry, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility. | ||||||||