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Transmutation - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Transmutation : (noun)
1: an act that changes the form or character or substance of
something [syn: transubstantiation]
2: a qualitative change [syn: transformation, shift]
3: (physics) the change of one chemical element into another
(as by nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment); "the
transmutation of base metals into gold proved to be
impossible"
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Transmutation : \Trans`mu*ta"tion\, n. [F. transmutation, L.
transmutatio. See Transmute.]
1. The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted;
as, the transmutation of metals.
2. (Geom.) The change or reduction of one figure or body into
another of the same area or solidity, but of a different
form, as of a triangle into a square. [R.]
3. (Biol.) The change of one species into another, which is
assumed to take place in any development theory of life;
transformism. --Bacon.
Transmutation of metals (Alchem.), the conversion of base
metals into gold or silver, a process often attempted by
the alchemists. See Alchemy, and Philosopher's stone,
under Philosopher.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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