alchemist

/'ælkimist/

Thân thiện

An alchemist carefully stirs a bubbling potion in his laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A practitioner of alchemy: An alchemist is a person who studied and practiced alchemy, a medieval philosophical and protoscientific tradition. Their primary goals typically included the transmutation of base metals into noble metals (like gold), the discovery of a universal cure for disease (the panacea), and the quest for an elixir to grant eternal life.
   • A historical figure in early chemistry: The term specifically refers to individuals, particularly from ancient, medieval, and Renaissance periods, who engaged in these pursuits, which were precursors to modern chemistry and medicine.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The legendary alchemist spent years in his laboratory searching for the philosopher's stone.
  • In the story, the old alchemist claimed to have discovered the secret of creating gold from lead.
  • Historians study the writings of alchemists to understand the origins of chemistry.

Advanced Usage

• "Alchemist" as a metaphor: In modern contexts, the word can be used metaphorically to describe someone who transforms or creates something of great value from ordinary materials.
  • The chef was an alchemist in the kitchen, turning simple ingredients into culinary gold.

Variants and Related Words

• Alchemy (n): The medieval forerunner of chemistry, concerned with the transmutation of matter and the search for universal remedies and the philosopher's stone.
  • The study of alchemy involved both practical laboratory work and spiritual philosophy.
• Alchemical (adj): Relating to alchemy or alchemists.
  • The manuscript contained complex alchemical symbols.

Synonyms

• Transmuter: One who changes something into a different form (specifically in the context of alchemy).
• Adept (in historical contexts): A person who is skilled or proficient in something, especially in occult or esoteric practices like alchemy.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Philosopher's stone: A legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold and granting immortality. This is a central goal of the alchemist's work.
  • The alchemist's lifelong quest was to create the philosopher's stone.
• Elixir of life: A mythical potion sought by alchemists that was believed to cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely.
  • Ancient texts described the alchemist brewing a potion he hoped was the elixir of life.

Học thuật

Noun

1. one who was versed in the practice of alchemy and who sought an elixir of life and a panacea and an alkahest and the philosopher's stone