Transmutation

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Transmutation \Trans`mu*ta"tion\, n. [F. transmutation, L.
     transmutatio. See {Transmute}.]
     1. The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted;
        as, the transmutation of metals.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Geom.) The change or reduction of one figure or body into
        another of the same area or solidity, but of a different
        form, as of a triangle into a square. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Biol.) The change of one species into another, which is
        assumed to take place in any development theory of life;
        transformism. --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Transmutation of metals} (Alchem.), the conversion of base
        metals into gold or silver, a process often attempted by
        the alchemists. See {Alchemy}, and {Philosopher's stone},
        under {Philosopher}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  transmutation
       n 1: an act that changes the form or character or substance of
            something [syn: {transubstantiation}]
       2: a qualitative change [syn: {transformation}, {shift}]
       3: (physics) the change of one chemical element into another
          (as by nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment); "the
          transmutation of base metals into gold proved to be
          impossible"