Arabic exportsMyths & disputesScience, ideas & the arts

alchemy

Greek-speaking Alexandria called the art of transmuting metals khēmeía. Arabic added its article to make al-kīmiyāʾ, and Europe received the word and the art from Arabic texts translated in Spain, while Persian, Urdu and Turkish kept the article-less kīmiyā, in Turkish as the word for chemistry.

Weakest linkCertain

The story you may have heard

It is often stated as fact that alchemy means 'the Egyptian art', from Kemet or Khēmia, 'the black land' (Egypt). That is one possible source of the Greek word. Greek khýma 'what is poured, a casting' is an equally serious candidate, and the OED suspects the two became blended.

The road to English

From Arabic to Andalusian Arabic, Old Spanish, Spanish

From Medieval Latin to Italian

From Old French to French

From Medieval Latin to Portuguese

From Medieval Latin to German

From Medieval Latin to Polish, Russian

From Arabic to Persian, Urdu

From Arabic to Ottoman Turkish, Turkish

300 CEKoine Greek

Hops are evenly spaced; labels show the year each form is first attested.