Pharmaceutical Terms with Onomastic Component: Quantitative, Structural and Lexico-Semantic Analysis

Abstract

Background. The present paper examines the prevalence and role of eponymic terms in the Latin and English pharmaceutical terminologies. Aim. The authors aim to conduct the quantitative, structural and lexico-semantic analysis of the names of medications with the proprial component. Materials and methods. The research material in the amount of 147 units was obtained by the continuous sampling from the dictionaries, guidebooks and manuals on prescription-writing using the narrative and component analysis methods, by means of which the arrangement, systematization, classification and interpretation of the structural, semantic and functional features of the units under consideration have been conducted. Results. The research has resulted in the delineation of the following groups of eponymic terms in the pharmaceutical terminologies of Latin and English: (1) semisolid dosage forms (formae medicamentorum molles): 81 title (55.1%); (2) liquid dosage forms (formae medicamentorum fluidae): 60 lexical units (40.8%); (3) solid dosage forms (formae medicamentorum solidae): 6 cases (4.1%). Conclusions. The analysis of 147 units showed that the most extensive group of pharmaceutical terminology units with the eponymic component are the names that specify the dosage form of medication. The prospects for research are in the further in-depth study to examine the tendencies of eponymization in both synchronic and diachronic aspects.