philosopher's stone
Transmutation's legendary catalyst
The philosopher's stone is a legendary substance that alchemists believed could transform base metals into gold and possibly grant immortality through an elixir of life.
Though never actually created, the pursuit of it drove centuries of early chemical experimentation.
In modern use, philosopher's stone often appears as a metaphor for any elusive solution or transformative discovery: Researchers hoped the new compound would be a philosopher's stone for cancer treatment.
Creator's supreme achievement
- elixirMythical healing draught
- transmutationComplete change of form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
alembic · crucible · calcination · coagulation · sublimation · distillation · vitriol · sulfur
Legendary Greco-Egyptian wisdom figure
- adeptHighly capable, well-versed
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- arcanaEsoteric specialized knowledge
- esotericAccessible to few
Nicolas Flamel · mysticism · Rosicrucian · sacred geometry · initiation · theosophy
Sacred sought-after vessel
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- searchAct of seeking
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
elusive · enigma · mystery · hidden · arcane · secret · forbidden · lost
Alchemical base-to-noble conversion
- base metalNon-precious metallic element
- noble metalOxidation-resistant metallic element
- transformationThorough change in form
- conversionAct of changing states
transfiguration · metamorphosis · purification · perfection · refinement · elevation · transcendence
Legendary immortality concoction
- eternal youthPermanent freedom from aging
- longevityDuration of existence
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- agelessWithout apparent deterioration
undying · deathless · panacea · fountain of youth · vitality · everlasting · restoration · renewal
magnum opus
Creator's supreme achievement
- elixirMythical healing draught
- transmutationComplete change of form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
hermeticism · alembic · crucible · calcination · coagulation · sublimation · distillation · vitriol · sulfur · mercury
Hermes Trismegistus
Legendary Greco-Egyptian wisdom figure
Nicolas Flamel · esoteric · mysticism · Rosicrucian · sacred geometry · initiation · theosophy
grail
Sacred sought-after vessel
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- searchAct of seeking
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
legendary · elusive · enigma · mystery · hidden · arcane · secret · forbidden · lost · sought
lead to gold
Alchemical base-to-noble conversion
- base metalNon-precious metallic element
- noble metalOxidation-resistant metallic element
- transformationThorough change in form
conversion · transfiguration · metamorphosis · purification · perfection · refinement · elevation · transcendence
elixir of life
Legendary immortality concoction
- eternal youthPermanent freedom from aging
- longevityDuration of existence
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
ageless · undying · deathless · panacea · fountain of youth · vitality · everlasting · restoration · renewal · incorruptible
Harry Potter
Fictional adolescent sorcerer
- Hogwarts
- Paulo Coelho
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
gold
Element seventy-nine
prosperity · abundance · affluence · bullion · opulence
- magic stonescrystal ball, moonstone, sunstone, soul gem, materia
- immortalityimmortality, eternal life, immortals, everlasting life, deathlessness
- magical artifactsamulet, talisman, wand, grimoire, spellbook
- magical itemswand, magic wand, cauldron, crystal ball, spellbook
- alchemyalchemy, transmutation, elixir, elixir of life, magnum opus
- arcane substanceselixir of life, quintessence, phlogiston, aether, aqua regia
philosopher's stonelead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
base metal · entropy · decay · poison · dross
philosopher's stoneperiodic table
Systematic display of elements
scientific method · evidence-based practice · material science
philosopher's stonemortality
State of eventual death
death · poison · memento mori · mortal coil · dust