spirits of ammonia
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈspɪrɪts əv əˈmoʊniə/
- Archaic
:
espíritus de amoníaco
- In the first aid kit, there were spirits of ammonia for emergencies.
Examples
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Bring some spirits of ammonia, iodine and bandages.
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The doctor suggested using spirits of ammonia to revive the fainting patient.
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Uh, have you any spirits of ammonia?
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I'll get the spirits of ammonia.
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- Nurse, some spirits of ammonia.
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I'll get the spirits of ammonia.
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I've got some, uh, spirits of ammonia over here.
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Eileen is still lying down with the spirits of ammonia.
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You're going to lie down and take some spirits of ammonia.
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The cold, clear air was like spirits of ammonia after the smoke-filled lobby.
Fiction book (1997)
Synonyms
A strong smelling liquid used to wake someone who feels faint
A clear, strong-smelling liquid used for cleaning and in chemistry
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase literally combines 'spirits' (a volatile/alcoholic liquid) with 'ammonia', so a learner who knows both words can reasonably infer it denotes a liquid containing ammonia. However, the specialized chemical formulation and the historical/medical use as a smelling-salt or stimulant are technical and somewhat archaic, so the precise sense and usage are not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Spirits of ammonia comes from old medicine bottles: spirits meant a strong alcohol liquid and ammonia gave a very sharp smell. People would sniff a little to 'revive' someone who fainted, so the name now refers to a strong-smelling liquid used as a 'smelling salt' to wake or alert people.