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Glite Dictionary
alcahest

alcahest

9.9
A liquid people long ago believed could dissolve anything
  • noun
  • /ˈæl.kə.hɛst/
  • Archaic
translation icon : alcahest
  • For centuries, alchemists pursued the alcahest as the key to unlocking nature's secrets.

Examples

  • Despite countless experiments, the alcahest remained a myth in the world of early science.

  • The legend of the alcahest reflects humanity's long fascination with transformation and dissolution.

  • The alcahest is legendary.

  • Could the alcahest dissolve anything?

  • For centuries, alchemists pursued the alcahest as the key to unlocking nature's secrets.

  • Despite countless experiments, the alcahest remained a myth in the world of early science.

  • The legend of the alcahest reflects humanity's long fascination with transformation and dissolution.

Synonyms

alkahest
vsalcahest
  • Archaic
9.9

A supposed liquid that can dissolve any material

is the same idea but spelled in an older variant
universal solvent
vsalcahest
9.9

An imagined liquid that can dissolve any material

is the same concept but stresses it was sought historically
azoth
vsalcahest
  • Archaic
9.9

A mythical substance used by alchemists that can change or heal anything

focuses only on dissolving, not healing or broad transformation

Surface Forms

alcahest singular
alcahests plural

Etymology

Alcahest comes from the name alchemists gave their dream substance, starting with the Arabic article al- 'the' and with the rest tied to alchemy, so it was like calling it 'the dissolver'. That's why alcahest refers to a mythical universal solvent — a substance imagined to 'dissolve' any material.