transmutation

transmutation
    n 1: an act that changes the form or character or substance of
         something [syn: {transmutation}, {transubstantiation}]
    2: a qualitative change [syn: {transformation}, {transmutation},
       {shift}]
    3: (physics) the change of one chemical element into another (as
       by nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment); "the
       transmutation of base metals into gold proved to be
       impossible"
    

Transmutation \Trans`mu*ta"tion\, n. [F. transmutation, L.
   transmutatio. See {Transmute}.]
   1. The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted;
      as, the transmutation of metals.
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   2. (Geom.) The change or reduction of one figure or body into
      another of the same area or solidity, but of a different
      form, as of a triangle into a square. [R.]
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   3. (Biol.) The change of one species into another, which is
      assumed to take place in any development theory of life;
      transformism. --Bacon.
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   {Transmutation of metals} (Alchem.), the conversion of base
      metals into gold or silver, a process often attempted by
      the alchemists. See {Alchemy}, and {Philosopher's stone},
      under {Philosopher}.
      [1913 Webster]