transmutation

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

noun

the act or process of transmuting.
the fact or state of being transmuted.
change into another nature, substance, form, or condition.
Biology. the transformation of one species into another. Compare transformism.
Physics. any process in which a nuclide is transformed into a different nuclide, usually one of a different element.
Alchemy. the supposed conversion of base metals into metals of greater value, especially into gold or silver.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM transmutation

trans·mu·ta·tion·al, trans·mut·a·tive [trans-myoo-tuh-tiv, tranz-] /trænsˈmyu tə tɪv, trænz-/, adjective trans·mu·ta·tion·ist, noun

Words nearby transmutation

transmittivity, transmogrify, transmontane, transmundane, transmural, transmutation, transmute, transnational, transnet, transoceanic, transom

British Dictionary definitions for transmutative

transmutation
/ (ˌtrænzmjuːˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of transmuting
the change of one chemical element into another by a nuclear reaction
the attempted conversion, by alchemists, of base metals into gold or silver

Derived forms of transmutation

transmutational or transmutative, adjective transmutationist, noun, adjective

Medical definitions for transmutative

transmutation
[ trăns′myōō-tā′shən, trănz′- ]

n.

A change; transformation.
In physics, the transformation of one element into another by one or a series of nuclear reactions.

Scientific definitions for transmutative

transmutation
[ trăns′myōō-tā′shən ]

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.