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transmutation

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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English

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Etymology

Late 14th century, from Old French transmutacion (“transformation, metamorphosis”), from Late Latin transmutationem, from Latin transmutare (“to change”).

Pronunciation

Noun

transmutation (countable and uncountable, plural transmutations)

  1. (obsolete) Change, alteration.
    Synonyms: mutation, permutation, transfiguration; see also Thesaurus:change
  2. The conversion of one thing into something else; transformation.
    Synonyms: development, metamorphosis, transfiguration; see also Thesaurus:conversion
    1. (alchemy) The supposed transformation of one element into another, especially of a base metal into gold.
      • 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 261:
        The transmutation of metals was secondary to the main aim, which was the spiritual transformation of the adept.
    2. (nuclear physics) The actual transformation of one element into another by a nuclear reaction.
      • 2017, Bob Berman, Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light, Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 73:
        Years later, scientists learned that the sun’s light—visible and invisible—is merely the by-product of a process alchemists had vainly tried to reproduce for centuries—the transmutation of one element into another. That nature accomplishes this before our very eyes, and that it is what creates the solar heat and light that supports all life, was suspected by no one. The revelation came as a complete surprise.

Translations

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Translations to be checked

See also

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French

Etymology

From Latin trānsmūtātiōnem.

Pronunciation

Noun

transmutation f (plural transmutations)

  1. transmutation (all senses)

Further reading

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