In the second place, we must notice the nature of alchemistic language.
The word Baurach occurs in Geber and the other early alchemistic writings, but there is nothing to prove that it was modern borax.
His views on the primary composition of bodies dominated the alchemistic world for centuries.
He was the author of a large number of mathematical, philosophical, and alchemistic treatises.
If we are ever to understand the meaning of Alchemy aright we must look at the subject from the alchemistic point of view.
And especially does it help to explain the alchemistic notions regarding the nature of the metals.
At any rate, all of the alchemistic works attributed to Flamel are of more or less questionable origin.
Probably the most celebrated of all alchemistic books is the work known as Triumph-Wagen des Antimonii.
It is very probable, however, that the alchemistic works attributed to him are spurious.
He read an alchemistic meaning into the ancient fables concerning the Egyptian and Greek gods and heroes.
mid-14c., from Old French alchimie (14c.), alquemie (13c.), from Medieval Latin alkimia, from Arabic al-kimiya, from Greek khemeioa (found c.300 C.E. in a decree of Diocletian against "the old writings of the Egyptians"), all meaning "alchemy." Perhaps from an old name for Egypt (Khemia, literally "land of black earth," found in Plutarch), or from Greek khymatos "that which is poured out," from khein "to pour," related to khymos "juice, sap" [Klein, citing W. Muss-Arnolt, calls this folk etymology]. The word seems to have elements of both origins.
Mahn ... concludes, after an elaborate investigation, that Gr. khymeia was probably the original, being first applied to pharmaceutical chemistry, which was chiefly concerned with juices or infusions of plants; that the pursuits of the Alexandrian alchemists were a subsequent development of chemical study, and that the notoriety of these may have caused the name of the art to be popularly associated with the ancient name of Egypt. [OED]The al- is the Arabic definite article, "the." The art and the name were adopted by the Arabs from Alexandrians and thence returned to Europe via Spain. Alchemy was the "chemistry" of the Middle Ages and early modern times; since c.1600 the word has been applied distinctively to the pursuit of the transmutation of baser metals into gold, which, along with the search for the universal solvent and the panacea, were the chief occupations of early chemistry.
A science (no longer practiced) that sought to transform one chemical element into another through a combination of magic and primitive chemistry. Alchemy is considered to be the ancestor of modern chemistry.
Note: The search for the philosopher's stone that would change lead and other base metals into gold was part of alchemy.
Note: Today, alchemy is associated with wizards, magic, and the search for arcane knowledge.
