alchemist
UK: ˈalkɪmɪst | US: ˈælkəmɪst
n. a person who practices alchemy, especially in medieval times, seeking to transform base metals into gold or discover a universal elixir.
n. (figuratively) someone who seeks to achieve seemingly impossible transformations or solutions.
The word "alchemist" traces back to Arabic "al-kīmiyā," blending the Arabic definite article "al-" with "kīmiyā," borrowed from Greek "khēmia." The Greek term likely referenced Egypt ("Khemia"), a hub of early metallurgy and mystical arts. Medieval Latin adopted it as "alchimista," later evolving into English "alchemist." The suffix "-ist" marks the practitioner, framing alchemy as both science and arcane pursuit.
The alchemist spent years in his laboratory, attempting to create gold from lead.
Modern scientists often dismiss medieval alchemists as misguided, yet their experiments laid groundwork for chemistry.
She approached her research like an alchemist, turning raw data into groundbreaking theories.
The legend tells of an alchemist who discovered the elixir of immortality.
His entrepreneurial spirit earned him the nickname "the startup alchemist."