rebis

See also: Rębiś

English

Rebis from Theoria Philosophiae Hermeticae (1617) by Heinrich Nollius

Etymology

From Latin res (“matter”) + Latin bina (“double”).

Noun

rebis (plural rebises)

1. (alchemy, fiction) The end product of the alchemical magnum opus, a reunion of opposing qualities such as spirit and matter or male and female, represented by an androgynous being.
   • 2023, Micah James Goodrich, “Trans Animacies and Premodern Alchemies”, in Medieval Mobilities: Gendered Bodies, Spaces, and Movements, page 214:

     While the rebis is the final form of alchemical variability, the larger process of alchemy looked to mercury as both the agent and patient of transformative possibilities.

2. An androgyne or hermaphrodite.
   • 2004, China Miéville, Iron Council:

     Within three days Judah discovers that the rebis who won him is on his trail.

Catalan

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Central) [ˈrɛ.βis]
• IPA^(key): (Balearic) [ˈrə.bis]
• IPA^(key): (Valencia) [ˈre.bis]

Verb

rebis

1. second-person singular present subjunctive of rebre