alchemist

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who practices alchemy, historically seeking transformations such as turning base metals into gold

   The alchemist heated the mineral mixture while searching for the philosopher's stone.

2. 2
   noun

   a person who transforms ordinary materials or ideas into something remarkable

   The chef was an alchemist who turned simple vegetables into an elaborate feast.

From Old French alquemiste, through Medieval Latin alchemista, formed from alchemy + -ist. Alchemy ultimately comes through Arabic al-kimiya, with the Arabic article al- attached to a word inherited from Greek khemeia or khymeia, referring to the art of alloying or transmuting metals.

Topics