transmutation
English edit
Etymology edit
Late 14th century, from Old French transmutacion (“transformation, metamorphosis”), from Late Latin transmutationem, from Latin transmutare (“to change”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
transmutation (countable and uncountable, plural transmutations)
- (obsolete) Change, alteration.
- The conversion of one thing into something else; transformation.
- (alchemy) Specifically, 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.
- (nuclear physics) The actual transformation of one element into another by a nuclear reaction.
Translations edit
change — see alteration
transformation — see transformation
the transformation of one element into another
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the actual transformation of one element into another by a nuclear reaction
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Translations to be checked
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French edit
Etymology edit
From Latin trānsmūtātiōnem.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
transmutation f (plural transmutations)
- transmutation (all senses)
Related terms edit
Further reading edit
- “transmutation”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.