Middle English Dictionary Entry
transmūten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | transmūten v. Ppl. transmūting(e & (error) transmmtyng; p.ppl. transmūted(e & transemūte. |
| Etymology | L transmūtāre |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To transform the appearance of (sb.); physiol. alter the color of (sth.); also, work a change in color [last quot.]; (b) to change (sb. into sth. else), metamorphose; (c) alch. to change (one substance into another); ppl. transmutinge, causative of alchemical transmutation; ppl. transmutede, alchemically altered; also, as noun: the substance or substances altered [last quot., l. 2523]; (d) ppl. transmutinge as adj.: ?variable, inconstant; ?causative of change.
Associated quotations
a
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Cl.(Lnsd 851)E.385 : Vnneþ þe peple hire knewe for hire faireness Whan sche transemute [vr. transmuted; Heng: translated] was in suche rechesse.
- ?a1425 Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)52/29 : Menstruous blode..is transmuted fro rede colour to white þat it mowe be liche to þe pappes in colour.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)27a/a : The fleisch of þe tunge is whiȝt, for sche schulde transmuten into a whiȝt colour lijk vnto hir watri spotil.
b
- c1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)4.467 : Þu muste me fyrst transmute [Corp-C: transmewen] in to a ston And reue me mynne pasciounys alle Or þow so lyȝtely do myn wo to falle.
c
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)435 : One metalle transmutide we fynde vnto a metalle of an nother kynde.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2522-26 : All the virtues of the elemente transmutynge Vpon the transmutide moste haue full dominacion Bifore that the substance be in transmutacion, And all parties transmutide moste figurede be In the element transmutyng.
d
- a1500 In thy condicioun (Voss Germ.Gall.Q.9)p.41 : Vnstedfast fortune..All trewe rewle & sade continuaunce ffro folkis honerable thou makist for to fle thourh thi transmmtyng [read: transmutyng] fals fragilite.