Description:

The term 'kemi' is borrowed from the international term 'chemistry', mainly inspired by English. As a borrowing it existed by at least the late early period in various forms, but the modern spelling and pronunciation were codified in the early modern effort to coin technical vocabulary. It refers to the science of chemistry.

Noun:

As a noun, 'kemi' means 'chemistry'. In somewhat colloquial usage but still acceptable and recognised in High Common, it can be metaphircally extended to the quality of a relationship, 'na zra kemi' can refer to a strong or natural relationship between two people, for example. This usage is almost certainly calqued from English. In later modern Common, it is also a slang term for drugs in general, occasionally medical drugs but more likely synthetic recreational drugs. This usage is from various Low Common dialects but has spread so ubiquitously that it is universally recognised and used in High Common casual speech.

In a slang context, the shortened form 'kem' or 'kem'' with a final apostrophe is common. A person writing good, literary Common quoting a person using slang would employ the apostrophe, whereas in informal writing it would just be 'kem'.

The derived form 'kemipaj' is used to describe a chemical substance, i.e., a specific chemical, and place the discussion in the context of its scientific composition. It is also a slang term for a drug, usually a synthetic recreational drug.

Verb:

In formal High Common, 'kemi' is not used as a verb. In slang, it is an intransitive pali verb meaning to do drugs, especially synthetic, recreational street drugs, or to be high from same. The 'kem' or 'kem'' forms are seen in slang in the verbal context as well.

Modifier:

As a modifier, 'kemis' means 'chemical', and more colloquially can be used to mean 'synthetic' in the context of talking about a substance.