Etymologically
Log in

alchemia

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 23 October 2026 at 10:29. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [aɫ.kʰeːˈmiː.a][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [al.keˈmiː.a][1]

Forms

alchēmīa f (genitive alchēmīae); first declension[1] Medieval texts usually spell it ⟨alchimia⟩, also ⟨alkimia⟩, ⟨alchymia⟩, ⟨alkemonia⟩ and ⟨alkomia⟩.[2][3][4]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Arabic الْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ), from Ancient Greek χυμεία (khumeía).[1][3][2] Etymonline calls the Greek word of uncertain origin and mentions an old name for Egypt, “land of black earth”, and a derivation from a verb meaning “to pour”.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first use to 1144.[2] A translator's preface quoted by the DMLBS introduces it as new: quid sit alchymia … nōndum vestra cognōvit Latīnitās, “what alchemy is, your Latin world does not yet know”.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was the art of turning base metals into others, and also the substance that was thought to bring the change about, the elixir.[4][3] Roger Bacon distinguished a speculative alchemy, about the generation of all inanimate things from the elements, from an operative one that made noble metals and colours.[3] English records of the 14th century use it of attempts to make silver and gold, and also of a gold-like alloy used to counterfeit coins.[3]

English alchemy came from the medieval Latin word through Old French in the mid-14th century.[5]

Timeline

  • 1144 – A translator's preface introduces the word to Latin readers.[2][3]
  • 1287 – An English gaol record uses it of a false metal for coining.[3]
  • mid-14th century – English alchemy is borrowed through Old French.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Alchemy, the art of transmuting metals.[6][3][4]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A substance that transmutes metals, the elixir; perhaps the philosophers' stone.[4][3]
  3. (Medieval Latin) An alloy resembling gold.[3]

Word family

Usage notes

The entry is under the spelling Wiktionary uses;[1][6][4][3] Niermeyer, the MLW and the DMLBS head the word alchimia.[1][6][4][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill