alchemy
UK[ˈælkəmi]US[ˈælkəmi]
n
a form of chemistry studied in the middle ages that involved trying to discover how to change ordinary metals into gold and to find an elixir to make people live forever.
n
a mysterious or magical power or process of changing one thing into another.
Morpheme Breakdown
al
chem
y
al
chem
y
Etymology
the word 'alchemy' entered english via old french and medieval latin from the arabic term 'al-kīmiyā’. the arabic word itself was borrowed from late greek 'khēmeía’, a term for the art of transmutation, likely derived from an older egyptian name for egypt, 'kēme’, meaning "black land," referring to its fertile soil. this connection suggests the art was associated with the secretive and ancient knowledge of egypt. the arabic definite article 'al-' was absorbed as an integral part of the word as it passed into european languages. over time, the term evolved from its literal historical practice to also signify any seemingly magical process of transformation.
Analysis
Structure: al + chem + y
al- (arabic, definite article prefix) + chem (greek, relating to pouring or infusion, later associated with egypt) + -y (english, noun-forming suffix denoting a practice or art).
Examples
medieval alchemy was a precursor to modern chemistry.
there is a certain alchemy in the way the director blends music and image.
they hoped to find the secret of life through alchemy.