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alchimiste

alchemist

noun al-shee-MEEST Rare

Origin: Arabic 'al-kimiya'

Usage Note

Alchimiste refers to practitioners of alchemy, the medieval proto-science of transforming base metals into gold. The word is common in historical, literary, and figurative contexts — un alchimiste du langage describes a writer who transforms words into something magical. The related noun alchimie means 'alchemy' and is used both literally and metaphorically.

Examples

"L'alchimiste cherchait la pierre philosophale."

Natural Translation

The alchemist was searching for the philosopher's stone.

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