Definition

A book that lists official medicinal drugs and provides information about how they are made and used.

Example

The pharmacist referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the correct dosage of the medication.

Conversation

Have you ever looked at a pharmacopoeia before?

No, I haven't. What is it exactly?

It's a book that lists all the medicinal drugs and how to use them.

That sounds really useful, especially for studying medicine!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pharmacopoeia → It is formed from "pharmakon" (meaning drug or medicine) and "poiein" (meaning to make). The word refers to a book or manual that contains a list of medicinal drugs and their effects, essentially meaning a collection of made medicines.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pharmakon' as relating to drugs and 'poiein' as making — this helps you remember that a pharmacopoeia is a book that makes or lists medicines.

Visually Confused Words