leprosity
nounUS /lɛˈpɹɑsɪti/ · UK /lɛˈpɹɒsɪti/
Etymology From Middle English leprosite, from Medieval Latin leprositas (“state of being leprous, leprosy”) either directly or via French leprosite, from leprōsus (“leprous”) + -itas (“-ity”).
2
Alchemy, Pseudoscience Of metals The supposed impurity or impurities of various metals, understood as causing their deviation from gold.
- The purpose of physical alchemy—as opposed to its various spiritual pursuits—was to treat the leprosity of base metals such as lead, refining and purifying them into gold.