alembic
1
9.9
- noun
- /əˈlɛmbɪk/
- Archaic
:
alambique
- She studied the alembic in the museum, fascinated by its intricate design used in early alchemical experiments.
They used very elaborate apparatus, glass alembics in which they would use heat to produce chemical decompositions.
- They used very elaborate apparatus, glass alembics in which they would use heat to produce chemical decompositions.
Examples
-
The ancient chemist carefully poured the liquid into the alembic to begin the distillation process.
-
The substance in the alembic had grown red-hot, turned black, become liquid, and turned white.
Fiction book (1993) -
See here?" He put his hand on the alembic but did not open it.
Fiction book (1993) -
George looked at the other men in the room, at the alembic, at the table littered with tools.
Fiction book (1993) -
The alembic squatted on the wooden floor.
Fiction book (1993) -
They used very elaborate apparatus, glass alembics in which they would use heat to produce chemical decompositions.
-
In the laboratory, the alembic sat prominently, illustrating the historical methods of distillation used by scientists.
Synonyms
2
8.6
A device for making alcohol by heating and cooling liquid
A pear-shaped glass vessel used long ago to separate liquids by heating
How Obsolete
Surface Forms
Etymology
Alembic comes from Arabic al-anbīq, which came from Greek ambix meaning 'cup' or 'cap'. That's why an alembic is a simple tool that acts like a cup or hood to catch steam and turn it back into liquid.