alchemy

noun al·che·my \ˈal-kə-mē\

: a science that was used in the Middle Ages with the goal of changing ordinary metals into gold

: a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way

Full Definition of ALCHEMY

: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life

: a power or process of transforming something common into something special

: an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

— al·chem·i·cal \-mi-kəl\ also al·chem·ic \al-ˈke-mik\ adjective

— al·chem·i·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See alchemy defined for English-language learners

See alchemy defined for kids

Origin of ALCHEMY

Middle English alkamie, alquemie, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French alkimie, from Medieval Latin alchymia, from Arabic al-kīmiyā', from al the + kīmiyā' alchemy, from Late Greek chēmeia

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

ALCHEMY Defined for Kids

alchemy

noun al·che·my \ˈal-kə-mē\

Definition of ALCHEMY for Kids

: a science that was used in the Middle Ages with the goal of changing ordinary metals into gold

Medical Dictionary

alchemy

noun al·che·my \ˈal-kə-mē\

plural al·che·mies

Medical Definition of ALCHEMY

: the medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy whose aims were the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for diseases, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life

—al·che·mist \-məst\ noun