plural of alchemy

(uncountable) The premodern and early modern study of physical changes, particularly in Europe, Arabia, and China and chiefly in pursuit of an elixir of immortality, a universal panacea, and/or a philosopher's stone able to transmute base metals into gold, eventually developing into chemistry.

(chemistry) The study of ancient alchemy using the knowledge and techniques of modern chemistry in order to advance the understanding of the history of chemistry.