transmutation

American  

[trans-myoo-tey-shuhn, tranz-] / ˌtræns myuˈteɪ ʃən, ˌtrænz- /

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.

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transmutation British  

/ 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

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transmutation Scientific  

/ trăns′myo̅o̅-tā′shən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• transmutational adjective
• transmutationist noun
• transmutative adjective

Etymology

Origin of transmutation

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025

"We are confident that our measurements accurately reflect the real rate of transmutation of unstable selenium into a more stable form," said Imai.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2024

Some even predicted that controlled transmutation might produce gold as an accidental by-product, which could make people rich while solving all our energy woes.

From Salon • Aug. 12, 2023

The sculpture relates to “yearning for freedom and transmutation in constricting situations,” Monteiro says.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2023

That first night of our copper transmutation, I venture out to see how Calliope has weathered the change.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman