transmutation

[trans-myoo-tey-shuhn, tranz-]

noun

1. the act or process of transmuting.

2. the fact or state of being transmuted.

3. change into another nature, substance, form, or condition.

4. Biology.,  the transformation of one species into another.

5. Physics.,  any process in which a nuclide is transformed into a different nuclide, usually one of a different element.

6. Alchemy.,  the supposed conversion of base metals into metals of greater value, especially into gold or silver.

transmutation

/ ˌtrænzmjuːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of transmuting

2. the change of one chemical element into another by a nuclear reaction

3. the attempted conversion, by alchemists, of base metals into gold or silver

transmutation

1. The changing of one chemical element into another. Transmutations occur naturally through radioactive decay, or artificially by bombarding the nucleus of a substance with subatomic particles.

Other Word Forms

• transmutational adjective
• transmutative adjective
• transmutationist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transmutation¹

1350–1400; Middle English transmutacio ( u ) n (< Old French transmutation ) < Latin trānsmūtātiōn- (stem of trānsmūtātiō ) a changing, shifting, equivalent to trānsmūtāt ( us ) (past participle of trānsmūtāre to change) + -iōn- -ion. See transmute, -ation

Example Sentences

Every day, I became less convinced by complete purification as a means of enlightenment, and more interested in curation, transmutation and integration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I think it’s a celebration of the transmutation of hubris to humility.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The most drastic transmutation of “The Ballad” thus far is in Episode 4, written by Giovanna Sarquis and directed by Rachel Goldberg.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It's difficult for researchers to make these kinds of observations; in fact, they are not able to directly observe acts of transmutation.

Read more on Science Daily

Indeed, when Soddy realized what was going on, he shouted to his colleague: "Rutherford, this is transmutation!"

Read more on Salon