alchemy

al·che·my  (lk-m)

n.

1. A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity.

2. A seemingly magical power or process of transmuting: "He wondered by what alchemy it was changed, so that what sickened him one hour, maddened him with hunger the next" Marjorie K. Rawlings.

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[Middle English alkamie, from Old French alquemie, from Medieval Latin alchymia, from Arabic al-kmiy' : al-, the + kmiy', chemistry (from Late Greek khmeia, khumeia, perhaps from Greek Khmia, Egypt).]

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al·chemi·cal (l-km-kl), al·chemic adj.

al·chemi·cal·ly adv.

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alchemy

Noun

a medieval form of chemistry concerned with trying to change base metals into gold and to find an elixir to prolong life indefinitely [Arabic al the + kīmiyā' transmutation]

alchemist n

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alchemy  (lk-m)

A medieval philosophy and early form of chemistry whose aims were the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of a cure for all diseases, and the preparation of a potion that gives eternal youth. The imagined substance capable of turning other metals into gold was called the philosophers' stone.

A Closer Look Because their goals were so unrealistic, and because they had so little success in achieving them, the practitioners of alchemy in the Middle Ages got a reputation as fakers and con artists. But this reputation is not fully deserved. While they never succeeded in turning lead into gold (one of their main goals), they did make discoveries that helped to shape modern chemistry. Alchemists invented early forms of some of the laboratory equipment used today, including beakers, crucibles, filters, and stirring rods. They also discovered and purified a number of chemical elements, including mercury, sulfur, and arsenic. And the methods they developed to separate mixtures and purify compounds by distillation and extraction are still important.

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Alchemy

See also magic.

arcanum

the secret of life; a great elixir or remedy sought by the alchemists. See also knowledge.

elixir

1. the hypothetical substance sought by alchemists that was believed to transform base metals into gold and give eternal life. Also called philosopher’s stone, elixir of life.
2. Rare. the quintessence or underlying principle. See also remedies.

Hermeticism, hermeticism

1. the ideas or beliefs set forth in the writings of Hermes Trismegistus.
2. adherence to these ideas and beliefs.

hermetics

the occult sciences, especially alchemy. Cf. Hermeticism¹. — hermetist, n. — hermetic, hermetical, adj.

iatrochemistry

1. originally, alchemy devoted to medicinal purposes, especially the alchemy of the period 1525-1660, influenced by the theories of Paracelsus.
2. currently, chemistry for healing purposes. — iatrochemist, n.

spagyrist

an alchemist.

transmutation

the process or act of change, especially from one thing to another, as the change from base metal to gold, pursued by the alchemists. — transmutationist, n. — transmutative, adj.

transmutationist

an alchemist who believed that, in one of several ways, it was possible to change less valuable elements into silver or gold.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	alchemy - the way two individuals relate to each other; "their chemistry was wrong from the beginning -- they hated each other"; "a mysterious alchemy brought them together" interpersonal chemistry, chemistry social relation - a relation between living organisms (especially between people)
	2.	alchemy - a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times athanor - a furnace that feeds itself so as to maintain a uniform temperature; used by alchemists pseudoscience - an activity resembling science but based on fallacious assumptions

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alchemy

noun magic, witchcraft, wizardry, sorcery, makutu N.Z.

Translations

alchemy [ˈælkɪmɪ] n → alquimia

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alchemy [ˈælkɪmɪ] n → alchimie f

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alchemy [ˈælkɪmɪ] n → Alchimie f, Alchemie f

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alchemy [ˈælkɪmɪ] n → alchimia