alchemist
(ˈælkɪmɪst)
Forms: 6 alkemyste, alckmist, 6–7 alchimist(e, alcumist, 6–9 alchymist, 7– alchemist.
[a. OFr. alquemiste, alkemiste; cf. It. alchimista, a. med.L. alchymista: see alchemy and -ist. Earlier forms were alchemister, alkanamyer.]
One who studies or practises alchemy. Also fig.
| 1514 Barclay Cyt. & Uplandyshm. (1847) 23 As Alkemystys, wenynge by polecy Nature to alter. 1546 Supplic. Comm. 77 An alckmist, or a goldsmith. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xciv. 136 Alchimistes also do make great accompt of this herbe. 1607 Shakes. Timon v. i. 117 You are an Alcumist, make Gold of that. 1635 Quarles Embl. iv. iv. (1718) 203 Lord, what an alchymist art thou, whose skill Transmutes to perfect good from perfect ill! 1790 Burke Fr. Revol. 250 Delivered over blindly to every projector and adventurer, to every alchymist and empiric. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. (1858) 146 Brightening London-smoke itself into gold vapour, as from the crucible of an alchemist. |