ALCHYMY
\ˈalt͡ʃɪmi], \ˈaltʃɪmi], \ˈa_l_tʃ_ɪ_m_i]\
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By Oddity Software
By Noah Webster.
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This word was formerly synonymous with Chymistry; but, from the 7th century, it has been applied to the mysterious art of endeavouring to discover a universal remedy, and a mode of transmutiug the baser metals into gold: an operation to which they gave the name Opus magnum, and Philosopher's stone. Alchymy has also been called Scien'tia vel Philosoph'ia Hermet'ica, from an idea that Hermes or Mercury was its inventor. Harris has well defined this chimerical art: 'Ars sine arte, cujus principium est mentiri, medium laborare, et finis mendicare.'
By Robley Dunglison