Philosophers' Stpne
Preserved but no longer current.
The hypothetical sub- stance which, according to the mediaeval al- chemists, would convert all baser metals into gold. Its discovery was the prime object of all the alchemists; and to the wide and unremit- ting search that went on for it we are indebted for the birth of the science of Cttemistry, as well as for many inventions.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Philosophers' Stpne” mean?
The hypothetical sub- stance which, according to the mediaeval al- chemists, would convert all baser metals into gold. Its discovery was the prime object of all the alchemists; and to the wide and unremit- ting search that went on for it we are indebted for the birth of the science of Cttemistry, as well as for many inventions.
Is “Philosophers' Stpne” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.