transmute
/trænsˈmjuːt/ · trans·mute
verb
- To change or cause to change in form, nature, or substance. The chef managed to transmute ordinary ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece.
- In alchemy, to convert a base metal into a noble metal, especially gold. Medieval alchemists spent their lives trying to transmute lead into gold.
- To transform a quality, condition, or state into something more refined or valuable. She hoped the experience would transmute her grief into compassion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The term gained a scientific twist in the 20th century when physicists used “transmutation” to describe the process of changing one element into another via nuclear reactions.