AL′CHEMY

(-kĭm-). Syn. Al′chymy (-kĭm-); Hermetic Art *; Alchem′ia , Alchym′ia , L.; Alchimie , Fr.; Alchemie , Ger.; Alchimia , It. The romantic forerunner of the modern science of chemistry. An imaginative art or science, having for its objects the discovery of a substance ( PHILOSOPHER’S STONE ) capable of transmuting the baser metals into gold—a panacea, or universal remedy ( ELIXER VITÆ ), by which disease and death were to be avoided by its po e or—an alkahest, or universal solvent—a universal ferment; and other like absurdities. A mixed metal formerly used for utensils was also called by this name.