philosophers' stone

or philosopher's stone

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See synonyms for philosophers' stone on Thesaurus.com

noun Alchemy.

a substance sought by alchemists that would be capable of transmuting baser metals into gold or silver and of prolonging life.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of philosophers' stone

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use philosophers' stone in a sentence

It was only natural in that century that he should turn his thoughts toward alchemy and the philosophers stone.
Rambles in Brittany|Francis Miltoun
And though a man be poor, yet may he very well attain unto it, and may be employed to make the Philosophers Stone.
Of Natural and Supernatural Things|Basilius Valentinus
Secondly, of the Philosophers Stone, what is meant by it, and whether by means thereof true Gold can be produced?
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society - Vol 1 - 1666|Various
Fourthly, what the celebrated Philosophers Stone was among the Ancients, and what they understood by the same?
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society - Vol 1 - 1666|Various

A rich and well-stored mind is the only true philosophers stone, extracting pure gold from all the base material around.
The Dixie Book of Days|Matthew Page Andrews

British Dictionary definitions for philosophers' stone

philosopher's stone

noun

a stone or substance thought by alchemists to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for philosophers' stone

philosopher's stone

The stone or material that practitioners of alchemy believed capable of changing other metals into gold.

notes for philosopher's stone

Figuratively, the “philosopher's stone” is a substance thought to be capable of regenerating man spiritually.