Synonyms for alchemy
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : al-kuh-mee |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈæl kə mi |
Définition of alchemy
Origin :- mid-14c., from Old French alchimie (14c.), alquemie (13c.), from Medieval Latin alkimia, from Arabic al-kimiya, from Greek khemeioa (found c.300 C.E. in a decree of Diocletian against "the old writings of the Egyptians"), all meaning "alchemy." Perhaps from an old name for Egypt (Khemia, literally "land of black earth," found in Plutarch), or from Greek khymatos "that which is poured out," from khein "to pour," related to khymos "juice, sap" [Klein, citing W. Muss-Arnolt, calls this folk etymology]. The word seems to have elements of both origins.
- Mahn ... concludes, after an elaborate investigation, that Gr. khymeia was probably the original, being first applied to pharmaceutical chemistry, which was chiefly concerned with juices or infusions of plants; that the pursuits of the Alexandrian alchemists were a subsequent development of chemical study, and that the notoriety of these may have caused the name of the art to be popularly associated with the ancient name of Egypt. [OED]
- The al- is the Arabic definite article, "the." The art and the name were adopted by the Arabs from Alexandrians and thence returned to Europe via Spain. Alchemy was the "chemistry" of the Middle Ages and early modern times; since c.1600 the word has been applied distinctively to the pursuit of the transmutation of baser metals into gold, which, along with the search for the universal solvent and the panacea, were the chief occupations of early chemistry.
- noun medieval science
- He waged war against astrology, alchemy, witchcraft, and like impostures.
- Extract from : « Self-Help » by Samuel Smiles
- "Look in your mirror for the alchemy needed there," he bade her.
- Extract from : « The Historical Nights' Entertainment » by Rafael Sabatini
- "It is not an alchemy in which myself I dabble," he said slowly.
- Extract from : « The Historical Nights' Entertainment » by Rafael Sabatini
- The myth is to religion what alchemy is to chemistry or astrology is to astronomy.
- Extract from : « The Evolution of the Dragon » by G. Elliot Smith
- Perhaps I am wrong in implying that alchemy is an extinct folly.
- Extract from : « Over the Teacups » by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
- There was always something fascinating to me in the old books of alchemy.
- Extract from : « Over the Teacups » by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
- Oh you think she's shabby, but you must allow for the alchemy of art.
- Extract from : « Some Short Stories » by Henry James
- He became a mystic philosopher and gave attention to alchemy.
- Extract from : « A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II) » by Augustus De Morgan
- No time now for alchemy; but for the horoscope, it is the veriest season.
- Extract from : « The Last Of The Barons, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- This seems to be the only species of alchemy to which the Jesuits have said the Chinese are addicted.
- Extract from : « Travels in China, Containing Descriptions, Observations, and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a Subsequent Journey through the Country from Pekin to Canton » by John Barrow
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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019