Forms: 6 alkemyste, alckmist, 6–7 alchimist(e, alcumist, 6–9 alchymist, 7– alchemist. [a. OFr. alquemiste, alkemiste; cf. It. alchimista, a. med.L. alchymista: see ALCHEMY and -IST. Earlier forms were ALCHEMISTER, ALKANAMYER.] One who studies or practises alchemy. Also fig.

1

1514.  Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (1847), 23. As Alkemystys, wenynge by polecy Nature to alter.

2

1546.  Supplic. Comm., 77. An alckmist, or a goldsmith.

3

1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, I. xciv. 136. Alchimistes also do make great accompt of this herbe.

4

1607.  Shaks., Timon, V. i. 117. You are an Alcumist, make Gold of that.

5

1635.  Quarles, Embl., IV. iv. (1718), 203. Lord, what an alchymist art thou, whose skill Transmutes to perfect good from perfect ill!

6

1790.  Burke, Fr. Revol., 250. Delivered over blindly to every projector and adventurer, to every alchymist and empiric.

7

1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 146. Brightening London-smoke itself into gold vapour, as from the crucible of an alchemist.

8