fire philosopher en · NOUN
Etymology
A calque of Latin philosophus per ignem (“philosopher by fire”).
Meanings
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(obsolete) Synonym of alchemist.
Most of such experiments were made by means of fire, and hence, […] the experimenters were termed Alchemists, meaning “The Firists,” or “The Fire Philosophers;” […]
1834, James Rennie, Alphabet of scientific chemistry, for the use of beginners, New edition, London: Orr and Smith, →OCLC, page 1:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fire philosophers | Number=Plur | lexicographic |