transmutation
Changing one substance
Transmutation is the act of changing from one form, nature, or substance into another.
The word carries a sense of fundamental transformation rather than superficial change.
In medieval alchemy, transmutation meant converting base metals into gold.
In physics, it refers to the conversion of one element into another through nuclear processes.
More loosely, transmutation describes any profound change: the transmutation of grief into art, the transmutation of a small town into a thriving city.
Profound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- conversionAct of changing states
- alterationAct of modifying
- changeTo make different
shift · transition · reconfiguration · restructuring · overhaul · reformation · reworking · recasting
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- alchemistPractitioner of proto-chemistry
lead into gold · hermeticism · alembic · crucible · calcination · coagulation · sublimation · distillation
Altering DNA deliberately
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
evolution · natural selection · chromosomal · DNA · heredity · variation · hybrid · transgenic
Combustion with flames
- waterClear essential liquid
- earthSoil or electrical grounding
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- aetherHypothetical light-wave medium
elemental · quintessence · salamanders · gnomes · sylphs · ethereal
Profound spiritual awakening
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- ascensionMovement to higher position
awakening · kundalini · gnosis · initiation · self-realization · soul · esoteric · mystical
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- conversionAct of changing states
- alterationAct of modifying
change · shift · transition · reconfiguration · restructuring · overhaul · reformation · reworking · recasting · modification
philosopher's stone
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
lead into gold · alchemist · hermeticism · alembic · crucible · calcination · coagulation · sublimation · distillation · quintessence
genetic modification
Altering DNA deliberately
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
genotype · evolution · natural selection · chromosomal · DNA · heredity · variation · hybrid · transgenic · selective breeding
fire
Combustion with flames
aether · elemental · quintessence · salamanders · gnomes · sylphs · ethereal
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
ascension · awakening · kundalini · gnosis · initiation · self-realization · soul · esoteric · mystical · catharsis
radioactive decay
Unstable atoms releasing energy
half-life · nuclear reaction · proton · nucleus · electron · atom · element · radiation · cyclotron · plutonium
- Magic & Fantasyenchantment, sorcery, alchemy, grimoires, necromancy
- changeschange, shift, alter, modify, transform
- magical transformationshapeshifting, metamorphosis, polymorph, transfiguration, transmogrification
- spellsspell, cast, conjure, curse, enchantment
- supernatural powerstelekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, levitation, invisibility
- superpowerstelekinesis, telepathy, superpower, invisibility, force powers
transmutationimmutability
Inability to change
changelessness · stagnation · preservation · fixity · permanence
transmutationoriginal form
corruption · degradation · debasement · devolution · reversion
transmutationadjustment
Alteration to improve fit
tweaking · refinement · modification · tinkering · rearrangement