prima materia

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English

Etymology

From Latin prīma māteria (“first matter”).

Noun

prima materia (uncountable)

  1. (alchemy) The primitive formless base of all matter, which is the starting material required for the magnum opus and the creation of the philosopher's stone.
    • 1976, Johannes Fabricius, Alchemy: The Medieval Alchemists and Their Royal Art:
      The alchemist's initial encounter with the prima materia is characterized by feelings of frustration, bewilderment, disassociation and disintegration.

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