philosophers' stone

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phi·los·o·phers' stone

also phi·los·o·pher's stone (fĭ-lŏs′ə-fərz)

A substance that was believed to have the power of transmuting base metal into gold. Also called elixir.

philos′ophers'

(or philos′opher's) stone`,

a substance sought by alchemists that would be capable of transmuting baser metals into gold or silver and of prolonging life.

[1350–1400]

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Noun

philosophers' stone - hypothetical substance that the alchemists believed to be capable of changing base metals into gold

philosopher's stone, elixir

substance - a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"

References in periodicals archive ?

Harry Potter and the Philosophers' Stone (2001) - $965,700,000 3.

TOP TEN GROSSING FILMS

An accompanying editorial proposes an epitaph for the cold-fusion search, likening it to the alchemists' quest for the philosophers' stone -- a mythical means of transmuting baser materials into gold.