different between fluctuation vs transmutation

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin fluctuati?nem, accusative singular of fluctuati?, from fluctu?, from fluctus.Morphologically fluctuate +? -ion

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fl?kt?u??e???n/
• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

fluctuation (countable and uncountable, plural fluctuations)

1. A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction.

   the fluctuations of the sea

2. A wavering; unsteadiness.

   fluctuations of opinion

   fluctuations of prices

3. In medicine, a wave-like motion or undulation of a fluid in a natural or abnormal cavity (e.g. pus in an abscess), which is felt during palpation or percussion.

Related terms

• fluctuate

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin fluctuati?nem, accusative singular of fluctuati?, from fluctu?, from fluctus.

Pronunciation

Noun

fluctuation f (plural fluctuations)

1. fluctuation

Related terms

• fluctuer

Further reading

• “fluctuation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

Late 14th century, from Old French transmutacion (“transformation, metamorphosis”) [12th c.], from Late Latin transmutationem, from Latin transmutare (“to change”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /t?anzmju??te??n?/

Noun

transmutation (countable and uncountable, plural transmutations)

1. (obsolete) Change, alteration.
2. The conversion of one thing into something else; transformation.
3. (alchemy) Specifically, the supposed transformation of one element into another, especially of a base metal into gold.
   • 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society 2012, p. 261:

     The transmutation of metals was secondary to the main aim, which was the spiritual transformation of the adept.

4. (physics) The actual transformation of one element into another by a nuclear reaction.

Translations

French

Etymology

From Latin tr?nsm?t?ti?.

Pronunciation

Noun

transmutation f (plural transmutations)

1. transmutation (all senses)

Related terms

• transmuer, transmuter

Further reading

• “transmutation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).