adj.
In a virtual environment, such as a computer simulation.
Example Citation:
"Now, with the human genetic code at last published and loaded onto CD-ROMs and DVDs, scientists are talking about a new era of medicine in which medical discoveries will be made not 'in vivo' (in life) or 'in vitro' (in test tubes), but 'in silico,' or on computers."
— Rick Weiss, "A New Genetic Window on Curing Diseases," The Washington Post, February 11, 2001
Earliest Citation:
"Some a-life researchers claim they are creating life forms on computers, in silico creatures as truly alive as the bacteria studied in vitro."
— Joshua Quittner, "Artificial Life Gets Real," Newsday, July 21, 1992
Notes:
As the citations make clear, this phrase is a variation on the much older Latin phrases in vivo and in vitro. Although in silico (literally, "in silicon") has likely been around in scientific circles for a while.
In silico thanks go to Word Spy subscriber Robert Saylor for letting me know about this phrase.
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Category:
New words. 2013.