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philosophers' stone
philosophers' stonenouna substance sought by alchemists that would be capable of transmuting baser metals into gold or silver and of prolonging life.
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philosopher's stone
philosopher's stonenouna stone or substance thought by alchemists to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold
philosophers' stone
Americannoun
noun
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Figuratively, the “philosopher's stone” is a substance thought to be capable of regenerating man spiritually.
Etymology
Origin of philosophers' stone
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The philosophers stone were better in my opinion.
From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.