transmutation

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: trans=mu=ta=tion

CIDE DICTIONARY

transmutation, n. [F. transmutation, L. transmutatio. See Transmute.].

•  The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted; as, the transmutation of metals.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  The change of one species into another, which is assumed to take place in any development theory of life; transformism.  Bacon.  [1913 Webster]

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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

transmutation, n.
1 the act or an instance of transmuting or changing into another form etc.
2 Alchemy hist. the supposed process of changing base metals into gold.
3 Physics the changing of one element into another by nuclear bombardment etc.
4 Geom. the changing of a figure or body into another of the same area or volume.
5 Biol. Lamarck's theory of the change of one species into another.

Derivative

transmutational adj. transmutationist n.

Etymology

ME f. OF transmutation or LL transmutatio (as TRANSMUTE)

ROGET THESAURUS

transmutation

Change

N change, alteration, mutation, permutation, variation, modification, modulation, inflexion, mood, qualification, innovation, metastasis, deviation, turn, evolution, revolution, diversion, break, transformation, transfiguration, metamorphosis, transmutation, deoxidization, transubstantiation, mutagenesis transanimation, transmigration, metempsychosis, avatar, alterative, conversion, revolution &c (sudden or radical change), inversion, displacement, transference, changeableness, tergiversation, changed, newfangled, changeable, transitional, modifiable, alterative, mutatis mutandis, Int, quantum mutatus!, a change came o'er the spirit of my dream, nous avons change tout cela, tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis, non sum qualis eram, casaque tourner, corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur, in statu quo ante bellum, still ending and beginning still, vox audita perit littera scripta manet.

Conversion

N conversion, reduction, transmutation, resolution, assimilation, evolution, sea change, change of state, assumption, naturalization, transportation, development, developing, conversion of currency, exchange of currency, exchange rate, bureau de change, chemistry, alchemy, progress, growth, lapse, flux, passage, transit, transition, transmigration, shifting, phase, conjugation, convertibility, crucible, alembic, caldron, retort, convert, pervert, renegade, apostate, converted into, convertible, resolvable into, transitional, naturalized, gradually, &c (slowly) 275 in transitu.