adj. In a virtual environment, such as a computer simulation.
2001
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.
1992 (earliest)
Some a-life researchers claim they are creating life forms on computers, in silico creatures as truly alive as the bacteria studied in vitro.
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.
In silico thanks go to Word Spy subscriber Robert Saylor for letting me know about this phrase.