transmute

Founding-era definition · Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

TRANSMU'TE, verb transitive [Latin transmuto; trans and muto, to change.] To change from one nature or substance into another. Water may be transmuted into ice, and ice into water; the juices of plants are transmuted into solid substances; but human skill has not been able to transmute lead or copper into gold. A holy conscience sublimates every thing; it transmutes the common affairs of life into acts of solemn worship to God. The caresses of parents and the blandishments of friends, transmute us into idols.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI

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