alchimicus

Forms

alchimicus, alchimica, alchimicum; first/second declension^[1][2] It is also spelled ⟨alkimicus⟩ and ⟨alchymicus⟩.^[1][3]

Etymology

It is from Latin alchimia (“alchemy”) + -icus.^[3][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first use to about 1270.^[3] British writers speak of librī alchimicī, books of alchemy, and Roger Bacon of experimental and alchemical sciences.^[4]

Semantic evolution

As a noun it meant an alchemist: Albertus Magnus uses it so,^[3][1] and Wyclif says that lead is not gold even according to the alchemists.^[4] The neuter plural meant the art of alchemy.^[1]

Timeline

• c. 1270 – It is first recorded as an adjective.^[3]
• 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it of alchemical gold and of alchemists.^[1][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Alchemical.^[2][1][4]

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) An alchemist.^[1][4][3]
2. (Medieval Latin, neuter plural) The art of alchemy.^[1]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
2. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d 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