transmutation
変成
解説 Definition
物質・性質・状態が、別のものへ本質的に変わることを指す語です。錬金術で卑金属を金に変える話や、核反応で元素が別の元素に変わる現象に使われるほか、比喩的に心や価値観が大きく変わることを表す場合もあります。
Transmutation is the process of changing one thing into a completely different form or substance. It is used in science, philosophy, and older traditions such as alchemy. In modern use, it often suggests a deep or dramatic transformation rather than a small change.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず mutation「変化・突然変異」を思い出すと核がつかめます。mut- は「変わる」、そこに trans- が付くと「境界を越えて別のものに変わる」感じになり、単なる変化より“中身ごと別物になる”印象です。change より大きく、transform に近いですが、transmutation は特に物質・本質レベルの変化で、alchemy や nuclear transmutation のような場面で出やすい語です。
Start from `mutation`, which is about change. Add `trans-`, a prefix often linked with crossing or going across, and the change feels bigger, like turning into something different. That is why this word often appears in serious contexts such as alchemy or nuclear science.
例文
The transmutation of lead into gold was the goal of ancient alchemists.
鉛を金へ変成させることは、古代の錬金術師たちの目標でした。
Nuclear transmutation occurs when one element is converted into another.
核変成は、ある元素が別の元素に変わるときに起こります。
The spiritual transmutation of fear into courage is a personal growth journey.
恐怖が勇気へと変わる精神的な変成は、個人の成長の過程です。
transmutation の類義語・関連語
transmutation の語源・成り立ち Etymology
transmutation は trans-「越えて」+ mut-「変える」+ -ation で、ラテン語 transmutatio に由来します。境界を越えて別のものへ変わるという形そのものが意味で、錬金術で金属変化を指した歴史も納得しやすい語です。mutate, mutation が同根です。
Transmutation comes from Latin transmutatio, from trans- meaning "across" and mutare meaning "to change." The basic idea is changing into something else by crossing from one state to another. In English, it became especially linked with alchemy and the imagined changing of one metal into another. Related words include mutate and mutation.
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