alchemist

Everyday

1. An alchemist was a person long ago, in the Middle Ages and before, who tried to turn ordinary metals like lead into gold and to find a medicine that would make people live for ever. tree →
2. In stories, an alchemist is a kind of wizard who mixes strange potions. tree →
3. Figuratively, an alchemist is someone who seems to turn ordinary things into something wonderful. tree →

In the lessons

In history and science lessons alchemists are the early form of chemists: they never made gold, but they invented lab tools and found out about many substances, which helped chemistry begin. In fantasy books and games, alchemists brew potions. The «philosopher's stone» was the magic stone alchemists searched for.

Examples

• The alchemist tried to turn lead into gold. tree →
• Alchemists worked with bubbling pots and glass flasks. tree →
• Isaac Newton also did experiments as an alchemist. tree →
• No alchemist ever really made gold. tree →
• In the game, the alchemist sells healing potions. tree →
• The chef is an alchemist with leftovers. tree →
• Chemistry grew out of the work of alchemists. tree →

Note

Countable: alchemists. The subject is «alchemy». Pronounced «AL-kuh-mist». A myth: alchemists did not succeed in making gold; today we know lead cannot be changed into gold by chemistry.