Definition of the word synthetic

The word "synthetic" stems from the Greek prefix "syn-" meaning "together" and the verb "tithenai" meaning "to put, place, set." Together, they form the root word "syntithenai," which translates to "to put together." The term "synthesis" was first used by elementary school teacher Johann Benedict Listrohn in the late 18th century, who coined it to describe a process of combining different elements to produce a new whole. The term "synthetic" emerged later in the 19th century, describing materials or substances that were artificially produced using chemical synthesis, as opposed to occurring naturally. Today, the word "synthetic" is used broadly to describe anything that is artificial, imitation, or manufactured, rather than natural or organic.