ˈalkəmē, -mi noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English alkamie, alquemie, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French alquemie, from Medieval Latin alchymia, alchimia, from Arabic al-kīmiyā' the philosopher's stone, the alchemy, from al the + kīmiyā', from Late Greek chēmeia, probably alteration of chymeia, probably from Greek chyma fluid, from chein to pour — more at found (to melt)
1. : the medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy whose aims were the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for diseases, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
2. : a great or magic power of transmutation
no … dishonest candidate could, by an alchemy of election, be converted into an honest president — A.E.Stevenson †1965
3.
a. archaic : a golden-colored alloy
b. obsolete : a golden-colored trumpet
put to their mouths the sounding alchemy — John Milton
Synonyms: see magic