n. (pl. -ies)
1. the medieval forerunner of chemistry, esp. seeking to turn base metals into gold or silver.
2 a miraculous transformation or the means of achieving this.
Derivatives:
alchemic adj. alchemical adj. alchemist n. alchemize v.tr. (also -ise).
Etymology: ME f. OF alkemie, alkamie f. med.L alchimia, -emia, f. Arab. alkimiya' f. al the + kimiya' f. Gk khemia, -meia art of transmuting metals