The Collaborative International Dictionary
Transmutation \Trans`mu*ta"tion\, n. [F. transmutation, L. transmutatio. See Transmute.]
The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted; as, the transmutation of metals.
(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.]
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(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.
Usage examples of "transmutation of metals".
Unbelieving Philosophers who were remodelling the world with words, and making card-towers of Babel to scale the skies with, talked with Unbelieving Chemists who had an eye on the transmutation of metals, at this wonderful gathering accumulated by Monseigneur.
In that immense register, where Pliny has deposited the discoveries, the arts, and the errors of mankind, there is not the least mention of the transmutation of metals.
Once in an unguarded manner, he spoke of the transmutation of metals as if it were already an accomplished everyday fact.