philosophers' stone
Alchemical transformation agent
The philosophers' stone is a legendary substance sought by medieval and Renaissance alchemists, believed capable of transmuting base metals into gold and conferring immortality through an elixir of life.
The quest for it drove early chemical experimentation.
Figuratively, it represents any long-sought solution to an intractable problem: Economists keep searching for the philosophers' stone of stable growth.
Human-made historical object
- questSeeking journey for something
- Holy GrailLegendary cup from scripture
- Harry PotterFictional adolescent sorcerer
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
Nicolas Flamel · folklore · fable · mystery · talisman · relic · ancient · sages
Practitioner of proto-chemistry
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- alembicDistillation apparatus
- crucibleVessel for extreme heat
calcination · coagulation · conjunction · distillation · fermentation · Hermes Trismegistus · hermetic · esoteric
Element seventy-nine
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- conversionAct of changing states
- transformationThorough change in form
transfiguration · metamorphosis · transubstantiation · purification · refinement · perfection · noble metals · silver
Unending conscious existence
- agelessnessImmunity to aging
- deathlessnessQuality of being eternal
- undyingLasting without end
- everlastingLasting for all time
perpetuity · timelessness · transcendence · apotheosis · spiritual perfection · incorruptibility · fountain of youth · ambrosia
Legendary immortality concoction
- panaceaUniversal cure
- cure-allSupposed universal remedy
- tinctureHerb steeped in alcohol
- potionEnchanted liquid mixture
draught · healing · rejuvenation · vitality · restoration · longevity · youth · regeneration
artifact
Human-made historical object
- questSeeking journey for something
- Holy GrailLegendary cup from scripture
- Harry PotterFictional adolescent sorcerer
Nicolas Flamel · mythology · folklore · fable · mystery · talisman · relic · ancient · sages · wisdom
alchemist
Practitioner of proto-chemistry
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- alembicDistillation apparatus
crucible · calcination · coagulation · conjunction · distillation · fermentation · Hermes Trismegistus · hermetic · esoteric · occultism
gold
Element seventy-nine
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- conversionAct of changing states
transformation · transfiguration · metamorphosis · transubstantiation · purification · refinement · perfection · noble metals · silver · quicksilver
eternal life
Unending conscious existence
- agelessnessImmunity to aging
- deathlessnessQuality of being eternal
- undyingLasting without end
everlasting · perpetuity · timelessness · transcendence · apotheosis · spiritual perfection · incorruptibility · fountain of youth · ambrosia
elixir of life
Legendary immortality concoction
potion · draught · healing · rejuvenation · vitality · restoration · longevity · youth · regeneration · quintessence
philosophers' stonelead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
base metal · poison · corruption · decay · entropy
philosophers' stoneperiodic table
Systematic display of elements
scientific method · modern physics · particle accelerator · laboratory equipment · evidence-based medicine
philosopher, philosophers, stone, stones, stonework, philosophy, philosophic, philosophical, philosophically