philosopher by fire en · NOUN
Etymology
A calque of Latin philosophus per ignem (“philosopher by fire”).
Meanings
-
(obsolete) Synonym of alchemist.
[…] alchemists, styled also philosophers by fire, […]
1824, “Barometer”, in Supplement to the fourth, fifth, and sixth editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 2, Edinburgh: Printed for A. Constable, →OCLC, page 117:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| philosophers by fire | Number=Plur | lexicographic |