Eighteenth-Century Chemical Terms

These were (and in some places are still) the terms and definitions used in the preparations of Formulas in the Sciences of Alchemy pertaining to the Distillations or Extractions of beverages, foods or of Medicinals!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Absorbent Earth - Chalk, marble, and clays. No specific formulas. Generally carbonates, silicates, and sulfates.
Acesunt - Any substance which is slightly acid, or turning sour.
Acetated Earths, Metals, Etc. - Acetates (C₂H₃O₂¯).
Acetous Acid - Impure acetic acid from vinegar.
Acetum - Referring to vinegar, or to a compound made from vinegar, as in "acetum radicatum."
Acid Air (Priestley) - Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Acid From Ants - Formic acid (HCOOH).
Acid, Nitri Phlogistic - See Nitrous Air.
Acid of Amber - Succine acid (C₄H₆O₄).
Acid of Apples - Malic acid (C₄H₆O₅).
Acid of Arsenic - Arsenic acid (H₃AsO₄).
Acid of Barberry - Malic acid.
Acid of Benzoin - Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Acid of Borax - Boric acid (H₃BO₃).
Acid of Burning Sulphur - Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Acid of Four Spar - Hydrofluoric acid (mixed usually with silicon fluoride) (HF; SiF₄).
Acid of Lemons - Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇).
Acid of Milk - Lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃).
Acid of Milk-Sugar - Mucic acid (COOH(CHOH)₄COOH).
Acid of Molybdaena - Molybdic acid (H₂MoO₄).
Acid of Nitre - Nitric acid (HNO₃).
Acid of Phosphorus - Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).
Acid of Salt - Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Acid of Sea-Salt - Hydrochloric acid, alone, or in a compound (i.e., the Cl¯ radical).
Acid of Sorrel - Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid of Sugar - Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid of Tamarinds - Tartaric acid (C₄H₆O₆).
Acid of Tartar - Tartaric acid.
Acid of Urine - Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄)
Acid of Vinegar - Acetic acid (CH₃COOH).
Acid of Vitriol - Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)
Acidium Aereum - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Acidium Mephiticum - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Acidium Pingue - J.F. Meyer's hypothesized "fatty acid."
Acidium Sacchari - Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid Vitriolated Tartar - Potassium hydrogen sulphate (KHSO₄).
Adopters - Small, circular vessels with a necked opening and a spout opposite. Ther were connected between the distilling head and the receiver.
Aduration - A union or combination into one.
Aerated Alkali - Any alkali carbonate (e.g., K₂CO₃).
"Aerated" Compounds (Bergman) - Carbonates (CO₃²¯).
Aerated Lime - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Aerated Water - Water containing dissolved carbon dioxide.
Aer Hepaticus - Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).
Aerial Acid - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Aerugo (Aeruca) (Rust of Copper) - See Verdigris.
Aer Urinosum - Ammonia (NH₃).
Aethiops Mercuriales - See Athiops Mineralis.
Aethiops Mineralis (Aethiops Mercuriales) - Black mercuric sulphide (H₂S).
Air - Generally, any substance in gaseous state.
Air (Priestley) - A gaseous substance which could not be liquified by cold.
Air, Dephlogisticated - Oxygen (O₂).
Air, Fixed - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Air, Hepatic - Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S).
Air, Inflammable - Hydrogen (H₂).
Air, Marine Acid - Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Air, Mephitic - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Air, Phlogisticated - Nitrogen (N₂).
Air, Vital - Oxygen (O₂).
Air of Flour Spar - Hydrofluoric acid gas (usually with silicon fluoride) (HF).
Air of Vitriol - Sulphur dioxide (SO₂).
Alaunerde - Alumina (Al₂O₃).
Alcohol - Usually spirit of wine (CH₃CH₂OH) (sometimes any very fine powder).
Alembic - A type of distillation apparatus.
Alexipharmic - A remedy or preservative against poison.
Alicant Kelp - Crude sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Alk. Min. Vitriol - Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄).
Alkahest - Originally, the universal solvent (alchmeical term)
Alkahest Glauber - See Fixed vegetable alkali (K₂CO₃)
Alkahest of Reapour - See fixed vegetable alkali (K₂CO₃)
Alkahest of Van Helmot (Glauber's Alkahest) - concentrated potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkalescent - Any substance which is slightly alkaline or turning alkaline
Alkali, Caustic - Hydroxides (OH¯)
Alkali, Common mineral - Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃ ^. 10H₂O)
Alkali, Concrete Volatile - Ammonium carbonate (NH4)₂CO₃)
Alkali, Fossil - Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali, Marine - Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali, Mild - Carbonates (CO₃²¯)
Alkali, Vegetable, Fixed - Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali, Vegetable, Mild - Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali, Volatile - Ammonia (NH₃)
Alkali of Soda - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali of Tartar - Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali of Wine Lees - Potassium cArbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali Veg. Saltium - Potassium chloride (KCl)
Alkali Veg. Vitriolat - Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄)
Alkaline Air (Priestly) - Ammonia gas (NH₃)
Alkalized Nitre - See fixed nitre
Allay - Alloy
Allonge - See Adopters
Alterant - Anything which alters of changes the state of another
Aludels - A unit of a mutiple-head, earthenware distilling apparatus. Usually used for sublimations.
Alum - Mixed double salts of aluminum sulphate with potassium sodium or ammonium sulfate. (Potassium salt, when pure, was most commonly called "Alum."). (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. K₂SO₄ ^. 24H₂O); (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. (NH₄)₂SO₄ ^. 24H₂O); (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. Na₂SO4 ^. 24H₂O).
Alumen - Aluminum sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃.
Alumen Ustum (Burnt Alum) - alum dehydrated by heating
Amalgam - Any mercury alloy
Ammoniacal Nitre - Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)
Ammonium Fixatum (Fixed Ammoniac) - The residue on heating sal ammoniac with lime, i. e., calcium chloride (CuCl₂)
Ammonium Nitrosum - Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)
Animal Alkali - Ammonium carbonate [(NH₄)₂CO₃]
Anodyne - A medicine or drug which alleviates pain.
Antichlor - Hydrated sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃)
Antimonial Caustic - Antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
Antimonium Diaphoreticum - Misture of antimony oxide and potassium antimoniate (Sb₂O₃; KSbO₃)
Antimony - Antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃) (pre-eighteenth century). Pure antimony was called "regulus of antimony."
Antizeumic - Opposed to fermentation
Aqua Fortis - Concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃)
Aqua Phaganeda or Phagadenica - A mixture of corrosive sublimate and limewater
Aqua Regia - Misture of HCl and HNO₃. Various proportions were used, depending on the material to be dissolved. Commonly, more nitric acid than hydrochloric was employed.
Aqua Secunda - Dilute nitric acid , often used for cleaning metals and minerals.
Ardent Spirit - Ethyl alcohol obtained after repeated distillations (CH₃CH₂OH)
Argillaceous Earth - Clay
Aromatic Oil - Any "oil" with a sweet or exotic odor. Often an essential oil.
Arsenic - Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃)
Arsenical Sal Ammoniac - Ammonium arsenate (NH₄)HAsO₄.
Ash, Black - Impure sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Ash, Pearl - See Pearl Ash
Ash, Pot - See potash
Ashes of Tin - Stannic oxide (SnO₂)
Assay - A quantitative determination of the metal in an ore or alloy
Atramentum - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄)
Attrition - The action of rubbing one body against another; mutual friction.
Auripigmentum - Arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃)
Aurum Fulminans - An explosive gold compound prepared from gold dissoled in "Aqua Regia" and a solution of ammonium carbonate. The exact formula is still in doubt.
Avolation - Evaporation,escape, act of "flying away."
Azote - nitrogen (N₂)
Azure - A blue pigment from cobalt
Azurite - Basic copper (cubric) carbonate (2CuCO₃ ^. Cu(OH)₂

Baking Soda - Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)
Balloons - Vessels used to receive condensation products in distillation.
Balneum Mariae - The water bath used for heating more delicate materials such as animal and vegetable mater.
Balsam - Light oily aromatic extracts from trees which cure into resins.
Barilla - Impure soda extracted from soap-wort (impure Na₂CO₃)
Barite, Baryte(s) - Barium sulfate (BaSO₄)
Baryta - Barium oxide (BaO)
Basis or Base - Any substance "A" which (1) is dissolved by substance "B"; (2) receives "B" and "fixes" it; (3) forms a compound of "B."
Bath Metal - A 4:1 alloy of copper and zinc, respectively.
Bay Salt - Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Beak - A tube, usually tapered, attached to a vessel to allow the exit of its contents.
Berlin Blue - Ferric ferrocyanide (Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃.
Berlin Green - Ferric ferricyanide (Fe[Fe(CN)₆].
Berthollet's Salt - Potassium chlorate (KClO₃).
Bezoardicum Minerale - See Bezoar Mineral.
Bezoar Mineral - Antimonic acid (H₃SbO₄).
Bismuth Corne - Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl).
Bitter Cathartic Salt - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Bitter Earth - Magnesium oxide or carbonate (MgO; MgCO₃).
Bittern - Liquor remaining after salt-boiling; a solution containing magnesium salts.
Bitter Salt - Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄ ^. 7H₂O).
Bitter Spar - "Dolomite" -Calcium and magnesium carbonate (CaCO₃ ^. MgCO₃).
Bitumens - An amorphous grouping of resinous and petroleum products: crude oil, amber, asphaltum, coal.
Black Ash - Impure sodium carbonate (impure Na₂CO₃)
Black Copper - Copper sulfide (CuS).
Black Flux - A mixed product from the deflagration of charcoal, metal filings, nitre, and excess tartar.
Black Jack - See Blend.
Black Lead - Natural graphite of the sort used in pencils.
Black Wad - Manganese dioxide.
Blend - A mineral which looks very much like galena (PbS) and thus sometimes called "false galena." Now known as sphalerite. Primarily zinc sulfide (ZnS).
Blind Head - The top portion of a distilling apparatus which is not equipped with a beak or spout.
Blue Vitriol - Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
Bole (or Bolar Earth) - Clays which adhere to the tongue when applied dry and which are colored yellow and red by a ferruginous (iron oxide) earth.
Borax - Sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄0₇ * 10H₂O).
Brass - An alloy of copper and zinc.
Braustein - Manganese dioxide (MnO₂).
Brimstone - Sulphur (S).
BonzeE - An alloy of copper and tin.
Buddling Dish - A flat pan or vat used in washing ores.
Burning Spirit of Saturn - Impure acetone (CH₃COCH₃).
Burnt Alum - Exsiccated alum (AIK (SO₄)₂. Product of heating potassium alum.
Burnt Lime - See Quicklime.
Butter of Antimony - Deliquescent antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
Butter of Arsenic - Arsenic trichloride (AsCl₃)
Butter of Tin - Stannic chloride (SnCl₄)
Butter of Zinc - Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂).
Butyrum AntimonII - See Butter of Antimony.

Cadmia - A term used for various forms of several substances, including cobalt. Minerals containing carbonates of zinc and various compounds of iron, among other things, were often called cadmia or "calamine."
Calamine - In its purest form, zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃)'
Calamy (Calamine) - Zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), sometimes (Zn₂SiO₄ * H₂O).
Calcareous Earth - Usually chalk (CaCO₃). Also possible magnesia and/or alumina and/or barytes. Also lime.
Calcarium Potentiale - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Calcic Liver of Sulpher - Calcium sulfide (CaS).
Calcination - The action of fire on mineral substances in which the reactants (a) often lose a noticeable amount of weight, (b) acquire a white color, (c) become friable (easily crumbled or pulverized). Almost always, a very high heat is employed.
Calcined Metals - Oxides.
Calcite - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Callus - Any hard formation on the surface of a liquid or another solid.
Calomel - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂)
Calx - Any powder obtained by strongly heating a substance in air. Almost always an oxide.
Calx Acetosell - Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄)
Calx Aerata - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Calx Citrata - Calcium citrate (Ca₃(C₆H₅C₇)₂ 4 H₂O).
Calx Molybdaenata - Calcium molybdate (CaMoO₄)
Calx of Antimony - Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃)
Calx of Gold - Not a true compound, but small discolored pieces of gold formed after exposure to relatively high heat.
Calx of Stone - Calcium oxide (CaO).
Calx Plumbi Aerata - See White Lead.
Calx Saccharata - Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄).
Calx Tartarisata - Calcium tartrate (CaC₄H₄O₆ 4H₂O).
Calx Viva - Quicklime (CaO).
Camphire (Camphora, Canforta, etc...) - See Camphor.
Camphor - An aromatic extract from the sap of certain trees found in Brazil and the Far East.
Caput Mortum - Most commonly signifies any solid residue remaining after dry distillation. Sometimes used for ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃)
Carbonate of Lime - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Carbonic Acid - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
CarbonicOxide - Carbon monoxide (CO).
Carburetted Hydrogen Gas - Methane (CH₄)
Cathartic Salt off Glauber - Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄).
Caustic Alkalis - Hydroxides (-OH&hibar;).
Caustic Baryta - Barium hydroxide (Ba (OH)₂ 8H₂O).
Caustic Calalcareous Earth - Calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)₂).
Caustic Austic Ley (Caustic Lee, etc...) - See Caustic Lye.
Caustic Lye - Since "lye" had several meanings, this phrase was often used to refer specifically to the three strong mineral (NaOH, KOH, and NH₄OH) bases and usually meant potassium hydroxide (KOH).
Caustic Ponderous Earth - Hydrated barium hydroxide (Ba (OH)₂ ^. 8H₂O).
Causticuni Antimoniale - Probably antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
Cawk - Barium sulphate (BaSO₄)
Cementation - Any process by which a solid is caused to penetrate and combine with another substance.
Cendres Gravellees - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₂).
Ceruse (Cerussa) (Cerusse) - See White Lead.
Cerusse Antimony - White antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃).
Chalk - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Chalybeate (Water) - Any water which is impregnated or flavored with iron.
Chalybs cum Sulphure Preparatus - Ferrous sulfide (FeS).
Chalybs Tartar (Tartarified Iron) - A substance produced by the action of cream of tartar on iron filling. Probably (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Chymists Spirit - Any solution of ammonia (NH₄OH).
Cineres Clavellati - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Cinnabar - Mercuric sulfide (HgS).
Cinnabar of Antimony - Mercuric sulphide (HgS), when produced by heating together mercuric chloride and crude antimony (antimony trisulfide).
Circulation - Cyclic distillation or refluxing.
Citrated Alkalies - Citrates.
Clays - Any stiff but malleable and sticky mineral solid.
Clyssus - Any vapors from the detonation of nitre with other substances which have been condensed and collected, as in clyssus of sulphur.
Coagulation - Reducing fluids to solid form.
Coagulum - A precipitate.
Cobalt - Cobalt ore. Pure cobalt was regulus of cobalt (CoAsS).
Cochineal - A scarlet dye made from the insect Coccus cacti, native to Mexico and Central America.
Coction - Any process in which heat was applied over a long period. This term usually implied less strenuous applications of heat than calcination, but it was used more broadly than decoction.
Cohobation - Repeated distillations, or any cyclic process in which a liquid is vaporized and condensed as, for example, in refluxing.
Colcothars - Any colorless sulfates (vitriols) in which the water of hydration was removed (-SO₄).
Colcothar - Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Colcothar Vitrioli - Red oxide of iron (Fe₂O₃ ^. FeO) produced by heating green vitriol.
Collature - Filtration through a relatively coarse filter, e.g., a hair sieve, woolen cloth, etc.
Colophony - A resinous substance from distillation of light oil from turpentine.
Common Ammoniac - Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl).
Common Caustic - Potassium hydroxide or, less often, sodium hydroxide.
Common Magnesia - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).
Common Mineral Alkali - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Common Nitre (Saltpeter) - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Common Salt - Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Concentration - Any process in which the solute/solvent ratio is increased. Less often, this term was used to describe the separation of a substance A from a substance B joining it to a third substance, C.
Concreted - Solidified, congealed, coagulated, or (as verb) to unite, combine physically, as in solidity. Very rarely used for chemical combinations.
Concrete Volatile Alkali - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Copperas - Originally blue vitriol. Later sometimes used for the entire class of vitriols (sulfates). Also sometimes ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄ ^. 7H₂O).
Corneous (Horn) Lead - Lead chloride (PbCl₂).
Corning - Any process in which a whole or coarsely ground substance is granulated.
Cornu Cervi - Impure ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Corrosive Sublimate - Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂).
Coruscate - To give off intermittent flashes of light, to sparkle.
Cream of Lime - Fine precipitate of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) from water.
Cream of Tartar (Tartar) - Potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHC₄H₄O).
Creech - Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄).
Cremor - Any scum gathering at or near top of a liquid. Also, a thickening or change in color or consistency on top or within a liquid.
Creta Alba - Gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) (CaSO₄ ^. 2H₂O).
Crocus - Any solid of a saffron or reddish color, as in Crocus of Mars.
Crocus Martis - Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Crocus of Iron - Ferric oxide.
Crocus of Mars - Ferric oxide.
Crocus Saturni - Red lead (minium) (Pb₃O₄).
Crude Antimony - Natural antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Crude Flux - Nitre and tartar mixed in any proportion without detonation.
Crystalline Earths - Any solid which is (1) not attached in acids, (2) friable, (3) hard enough to strike fire with steel.
Crystallised Alkali - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Crystallised Verdigris - Cupric acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂ ^. H₂O).
Crystallised Volatile Alkali - Ammonium carbonate (NH₄)₂CO₃.
Crystallization - Any process in which crystals are formed from a liquid. Usually accomplished through concentrating and/or cooling a solution.
Crystals of Copper - Mostly copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Crystals of Silver (Lunar Crystals) - Silver nitrate, usually as a powder (AgNO₃).
Crystals of Venus - Copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Cubic Nitre - Crystallized sodium nitrate (NaNO₃).
Cucurbit - The lower part of an alembic. Shorter, more squat and ovoid than a matrass.
Cyprian Vitriol - Copper sulfate (CuSO₄).

Damps - Any dangerous vapors in caves, mines etc.
Decantation - To a separate the supernatant liquid from a solid precipitate by pouring the liquid off, being careful that all of the solid remains in the vessel.
Decoction - Continuous application of boiling heat to a reaction mixture.
Decompounded - Doubly compounded, or composed of three or more substances.
Decrepitation - Rapid physical decomposition of some crystals when heated. Characterized by a crackling noise.
Deflagration - To cause a substance to burn rapidly, with flame.
Deliquescence - The property some crystalline substances have of dissolving spontaneously in liquid absorbed from the air.
Deliquium - Change of salt from a solid to a fluid state by contact with air only.
Demi-Metal - See Semi-Metals
Dephlegmation - To remove water from a solution, usually one of an acid or alcohol. There is a sense of purifying about the term, as opposed to simple concentration.
Dephlogisticated Acid of Salt - Chlorine (Cl₂).
Dephlogisticated Air - Oxygen (O₂).
Dephlogisticated Calx of Iron - Ferrous oxide (Hydroxide) (FeO or Fe(OH)₂).
Dephlogisticated Marine Acid - Chlorine (Cl₂).
Depuration - To free from impurities, purify.
Desquamation - The process of removing scaly crusts which form on a surface.
Detonation - Any rapid chemical reaction accompanied by noise and often heat and light, e.g., explosions.
Diaphoretic - Any substance which induces perspiration when administered to a patient.
Diaphoretic Antimony - Mixture of a antimony oxide and potassium antimonate (Sb₂O₃; KSbO₃).
Digestion - The process in which heat is continuously applied to a substance without boiling it (usually in open vessels).
Digestive Salt - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Digestive Salt of Sylvius - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Diminished Nitrous Air (Priestly) - Nitrous oxide (N₂O).
Distillation - A process in which all or some portion of a substance is vaporized and then condensed and collected.
Distillation Per Ascensum - Distillation with the collecting vessel above the heated vessel.
Distillation Per Decensum - Any distillation where the collecting vessel is below the heated vessel.
Distillation Per Obliquium - Distillation in a retort used for substances of (a)relatively low vapor pressure and (b)other properties that make distillation difficult, e.g., honey.
Distillation with Addition - Adding some substance prior to distillation that will aid the process by (1) loosening the desired volatile product chemically from its compound; (2) fixing the product not desired, thus retaining it in the vessel; (3) by adding a volatile substance desired, thus making the fixed substance volatile (addition of properties).
Diuretic Salt - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Division - Any process in which mixtures are separated into their homogeneous components by mechanical means.
Docimacy - Assaying
Dry Way - Term used for all operations that are conducted without adding a liquid medium. Reactions done through fusion, however, are still regarded in the dry way.
Dulcification - Any process in which a caustic substance is rendered less corrosive.

Earth - Usually a carbonate, oxide or hydroxide. Earths were originally classified by physical properties as absorbent, crystalline, and dry, insipid, not inflammable, fusible solids which often recovered their original texture after fusion.
Earth, Calcareous, Caustic - Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)
Earth, Calcareous, Mild - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Earth, Magnesian, Mild - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃)
Earth, Silicous - Silica (SiO₂)
Earth Rhubarb - Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄)
Earthy Salts - Compound of acids and earths.
Eau Forte - (Strong Water) Usually concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃), sometimes (1) spirit of wine (ethanol), (2) caustic soda solution.
Ebullition - The agitating, bubbling action of a liquid that is undergoing rapid, active boiling.
Edulcorated Quicksilver - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂)
Edulcoration - The washing of a solid (often a precipitate) with water to free it from soluble impurities such as salts and acids. Because of the latter, there are overtones of sweetening, purification, and softening with this term.
Elaeosaccharum - A mixture of an oil and sugar. Used to make oils soluble in water, wines, spirits, etc.
Electuaries - Medicinals in the form of a paste or conserve.
Elixation - The action of boiling or stewing.
Elutriation - Separation and purification of a mixture of granular solids with water by (a) decanting, (b) straining, or (c) washing.
Emetic - Any substance that induces vomiting.
Emetic Powder - Potassium antimonyl tartrate (KSbC₄H₄O₇ ^. (1/2) H₂O)
Emplastrum Simplex - Impure lead oleate (Pb(C₁₈H₃₃O₂)₂)
Empyreumatic - Tasting or smelling or burnt organic matter.
Empyreumatic Oils - Liquid oils that (a) are acid, (b) are soluble, (c) do not retain the taste and odor of the substance from which they are obtained, (d) have a taste and/or odor of burnt organic matter.
Enfiladid Ballon - A spherical vessel with opposed, necked openings.
English Laxative Salt - Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄)
English Salt - See Bitter Salt
Ens Martis - A mixture probably consisting of iron chlorides and ammonium chloride. Used as a medicine.
Ens Veneris - A mixture probably consisting of copper chlorides and ammonium chloride. Used as a medicine.
Epsom Salts - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)
Essay - See Assay
Essence - Any essential oil.
Essential Oil - Any oil that smells the same as the vegetable from which it was obtained and has a low boiling point (below that of water)
Essential Oil of Turpentine - The most volatile portion of turpentine.
Etain de Glace - Bismuth (Bi)
Ether - In the 18th century, alykyl chlorides and nitrates often were confused with true ethers, such as ethyl ether (CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂CH₃).
Ether of Benzoin - Ehtyl benzoate (C₉H₁₀O₂)
Ether of Nitre - Mainly ethyl nitrite (C₂H₅NO₂)
Ether of Vinegar - Ethyl acetate (C₄H₁₀O₂)
Ether of Vitriol - Ethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O)
Ethiops Mineral - Mostly black mercury sulfide (Hg₂S)
Evaporation - Any process in which the liquid portion of a solution or mixture is vaporized, often with the help of heat.
Exalt - To make more spiritous, volatile, or generally more active; activate.
Exsiccate - To dry; remove moisture.
Exhalation - When parts of substances are separated by heat from the solid and fly off into the air. Used as a tool to obtain fixed parts as well as volatile parts. This includes calcination, distillation, etc.
Expression - To separate a component from organic matter or any other solids or semisolids by squeezing the material in a press. A mechanical rather than chemical means of separation.
Extemporaneous Alkali - See white flux.
Extraction - To separate one substance from others by using solvents.
Extract of Lead - Impure lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Extract of Mars - Solid ferrous tartrate (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Extravasation - The escape of an organic fluid (e.g., blood, sap) from its proper vessels into surrounding tissues.

Faints - The second identifiable, thin, and light liquid fraction from distillation.
Fearce - To pulverize or mascerate.
Febrifugal Salt - Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄).
Febrifugal Salt of Sylvius - Potassium chloride (KCl).
[A] Ferment - A substance actually fermenting, inclined to ferment, or used to cause fermentation, e.g., yeast.
Fetid Oil - Any oil substance that was empyreumatic, i.e., had the odor of burned animal matter.
Filtration - To separate a liquid from a particulate solid by passing the liquid through a porous material, e.g., cloth or paper.
Finery Cinder - Iron oxide (Fe₃O₄).
Fire Air (Scheele) - Oxygen (O₂).
Fixed Air - Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Fixed Alkali (Soda) - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Fixed Alkali Salt - Solid potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Fixed Ammoniac (Fixed Sal Ammoniac) - Calcium chloride (CaCl₂).
Fixed Nitrate - Usually potassium carbonate; sometime potassium sulfate (K₂CO₃; K₂SO₄).
Fixed Sulphur of Antimony - Oxides of antimony, probably primarily the trioxide (Sb₂O₃) which forms when antimony ore (Sb₂S₃) is heated in air. Antimony calx.
Fixed Vegetable Alkali - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Fixity - The degree of solidity of a substance as measured by the ability of that substance to resist the action of fire. The opposite of volatility.
Flores - See Flowers.
Flores ac Vitrum Antimony - Probably antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) with small amounts of antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Flores Antim - See Flowers of Antimony.
Flores Benzoini - Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Flores Martiales (Ens Veneris) - Impure ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl). Also includes iron filing used in the reaction, with possibly some chlorides of iron.
Flores Sulfurous - See Flowers of Sulfur.
Flores Viridis Aeris - Crystallized cupric acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Flores Zinc - See Flowers of Zinc.
Flowers (Flores) - Any solid product of sublimation. Usually a powder.
Flowers of Antimony - Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃).
Flowers of Arsenic (White Arsenic) - Arsenious oxide (As₂O₃).
Flowers of Benjamin - See Flowers of Benzoin.
Flowers of Benzoin - Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Flowers of Phosphorus - Volatile oxides of phosphorous (P₂O₃; P₂O₅).
Flowers of Sulfur - Sublimed and condensed sulfur vapors (S).
Flowers of Zinc - Volatile zinc oxide (ZnO).
Fluor (as adjective) - Flowing, an adjective indicating that the substance cannot be made solid, e.g., flour volatile alkali,; or, in referring to a mineral, a solid that is easily fusible.
Fluor Acid Air - Silicon fluoride (SiF₄).
Fluorspar - Calcium fluoride (CaF₂).
Focus of a Furnace - That part of a furnace where the fuel is actually burned.
Foliated Earth of Tartar - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₂O₂).
Fossil - Any mineral substance.
Fossil Alkali - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Fossil Cadmia - A cobalt mineral, probably cobaltite (CoAsS).
Fossil Oil - Clear, distilled crude oil.
Frigorific - Having property of producing cold.
Focus - A substance which can act as a (usually opaque) surface coloring agent.
Fulginosity - Soot or any black deposit from flames of oily substances.
Fulmination - Any very rapid reaction which produces heat, light, and noise; e.g., explosions.
Fuming Liquor of Boyle - Ammonium polysulfide ((NH₄)₂S_y).
Fuming Liquor of Libavious - Stannic chloride solution (SnCl₄).
Fusion - The changing a solid body to a liquid by the action of fire.

Galena - Lead sulfide (PbS).
Galley - A type of furnace in which several vessels are heated side by side simultaneously.
Galls - Parasitic growths, commonly found on oaks, which, when dried, ground, and dissolved were useful indicators for iron.
Gentle Calx of Lead - Lead nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂.
German Ash - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
German Potash - Probably a mixture of potassium carbonate and oxide.
German Vitriol - An ore with both copper and gerrous sulfates (CuSO₄, FeSO₄).
Galacial Oil of Antimony (Butter of Antimony) - Antimony trichloride (SbCl₃).
Glass of (A Substance) - The fused form of the substance, especially if semitransparent.
Glass of Antimony - Probably antimony oxysulfate (Sb₂O₂SO₄). Prepared by fusion of antimony sulfide, antimony, and an oxide of antimony.
Glass of Borax - Fused borax.
Glass of Lead - Any fused lead compound (especially ceruse, minium, or litharge).
Glauber's Alkahest (Alkahest of Van Helmont) - Concentrated potassium carbonate solution (K₂CO₃(aq)).
Glauber's Sal Ammoniac - Ammonium sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄).
Glauber's Spirit of Nitre - Fuming nitric acid (HNO₃).
Globuli Martiales - Iron powder boiled in cream of tartar solution. Presumably contains some ferrous tartrate (FeC₄H₄O₆). A pharmaceutical preparation of iron.
Glucinum - Beryllium (Be).
Golden Spirit of Sulphur - Ammonium sulphide ((NH₄)₂S).
Graves - The residue left after extracting oils from animal fat by means of heat and moderate pressure.
Gravid - Heavy or dense.
Green Vitriol (Vitriol of Mars) - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).
Grume(s) (Grumous) - (1) Viscous, clotty; (2) heap(s), clusters.
Guaic (Guyac, Guacium) - A tropical wood sometimes used for the resinous extract of that wood.
Gum - Resinous or musiloginous extracts from plants, shrubs, or trees.
Gum Acacia - Like gum arabic, but thought to be distinguishable from it; the dried resinous exudation of certain varieties of the acacia tree.
Gum Arabic - The dried exudation of certain varieties of the acacia tree.
Gum Benzoin - The dried resin of the tree Styrax benzoin.
Gum Dragon - See Gum Tragacanth.
Gum Lac - Dark-red resionous incrustation produced in certain trees by the insect Carteria lacca. When refined by certain processes it beomes "shell-lac" or "shellac."
Gum Tragacanth (Gum Dragon) - Dried gummy exhudation of the tree Astragalus gummifer and related speices.
Gypseous Earths - Used for both gypsum or the "earth" contained in it , i.e., calcium oxide. Sometimes the oxide was confused with carbonate as the "earth" of gypsum.
Gypseous Substances - Solid substances which (a) are not soluble in acids, (b) are not hard enough to strike fire from steel, (c) when mixed with water may form a paste which hardens into a solid, and (d) becomes powdery when exposed to fire.
Gypsum - Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO₄ ^. 2H₂O).

Halitus - Matter in a very subtile form, as a "vapor" or "exhalation." Like these, a "halitus" was often hypothesized if a phenomenon was ascribed to material causes, but no material could be detected by known means.
Hartshorn (Hart's Horn) - Ideally, the horn of the male European red deer, but the horns of other deer species were acceptable substitutes.
Hartshorn Calcined to Whiteness - Hartshorn subjected to heat over a long period and developing into a white substance.
Hartshorn Prepared Philosophically - Much like hart's horn calcined to whiteness, but usually with less heat and for a longer period.
Head - The upper part of a distillation apparatus. Also, the bulb or other enlargement at the end of a tube.
Heavy Carburetted Hydrogen - Ethylene (C₂H₄).
Heavy Earth - Barium oxide (BaO). Also barium hydroxide and barium carbonate.
Heavy Inflammable Air - Used at various times for (a) carbon monoxide (CO), (b) water gas (a mixture of H₂ and CO), or (c) methane (CH₄).
Heavy Spar - Barium sulfate (BaSO₄).
Hellebore - A plant of the genus Helleborus. Usually Helleborus niger, the so-called "Christmas rose." The poisonous extract was used in dilute preparations as a medicinal in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Hemlock - The vulgar name for the poisonous plant Conium maculatum and/or its extract.
Henna - The plant Lawsonia inermis. The dried and powdered shoots and leaves were used as a dye or, with suitable medium, a cosmetic.
Hepar Antimonii - Antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Hepar Calcis - Calcium sulfide (CaS).
Hepars - Sulfides (-S²¯)
Hepar Sulphuris (Liver of Sulphur) - Produced by heating potassium carbonate with sulphur. Not a true compound, it was a metastable mixture of potassium polysulfides and sulfate (K₂S, K₂S₂, K₂S₃, K₂S₄, K₂S₅, K₂SO₄).
Hepatic Air - Hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S).
Hessian Crucible - A type of crucible made in Hesse, Germany, of a mixture of native clay and fine sand. Such crucibles were noted for being able to withstand sudden changes in temperature.
Homberg's (Sedative) Salt - Boric acid (H₃BO₃ (ortho); H₂B₄O₇ (tetra)).
Horn (Corneous) Lead - Lead chloride (PbCl₂).
Horn Mercury - Chloride of mercury (HgCl₂; Hg₂Cl₂).
Horn Silver (Luna Cornea) - Fused silver chloride (AgCl).
Horn Tin - Stannous chloride (SnCl₂).
Hungarian Vitriol - Usually ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) but also used for copper sulfate (CuSO₄).
Hydromel - Mixture of honey and water, usually in equal proportions. Ferments into "mead."

Iceland Spar (Calcite) - A particular crystal form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Icy Butter - Antimony chloride (SbCl₃).
Imbibition - To soak or saturate with a liquid.
Infernal Stone - An alkali hydroxide (NaOH, KOH). [Not to be confused with the French term pierre infernale.]
Inflammable Air - Usually hydrogen (H₂), though the usage is not constant among Priestley, Watt, Lavoisier, or Berthollet. Sometimes carbon monoxide (CO).
Inflammable Air from Metals - Hydrogen (H₂).
Infusion - The extraction of chemical substances by soaking them in a solvent, usually water. Sometimes boiling water was poured on a mixture of substances and then allowed to cool in order to aid the extraction; but if the heat were used, the temperature could not exceed that of boiling water.
Insolation - Digestion in which the heat was supplied by the sun rather than a furnace.
Inspissate - To thicken or condense.
Intermediate Salt of the Ley of Blood - Potassium ferrocyanide (K₄Fe(CH)₆).
Intermediate Salts - Usually normal salts; occasionally acid salts.
Intermedium - Any reagent or reactant believed to be necessary for a reaction but which does not always appear on the product.
Intumescence - The process of swelling up.
Ipecacuanha - A preparation from the root of the South American plant Cephaelis Ipecacuanha.
Iron Ochre - A mixture of silica, clay, and various oxides of iron. In red ochre the oxide is simple Fe₂O₃; in yellow ochre it is Fe₂O₃ ^. H₂O.
Iron Vitriol - Ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄).
Isinglass - In the first half of the eighteenth century a gelatinous substance extracted from the air-bladders of certain fish. Later, a synonym for sheet mica.
Ivory-Black - A black pigment prepared by the calcination of ivory in a closed vessel.

Jalap - A powder from the dried roots of the Mexican plant Exogonium purga. Used as a purgative.
James' Powder - A powder prepared by Dr. Robert James (1703-1776) that was used to reduce fevers.
Japanning - The coating of an object with a very dark varnish. The original varnish came from Japan, but substitutes were later found.
Jove (of Jove) - Tin, or some compound or alloy of tin.

Kali - The plant Salsola kali or glasswort from which, oddly enough, "mineral" alkali (sodium carbonate) was extracted by calcination. Also sometimes used for crude sodium carbonate.
Kaolin - A fine, white clay used in the manufacture of porcelain.
Kelp - Impure soda (Na₂CO₃) from seaweed. In Britain, the term was sometimes used for crude sodium carbonate from any source.
Kermes Mineral - A natural mixture of antimony oxide or a mixture obtained in the laboratory by the actions of potassium carbonate on antimony sulphide.

Lac (Laque) - A relatively thick solution of a colorant or coating.
Lac Sulphuris - See milk or sulphur.
Lapis Calaminarus (Calamine) - Mineral form of Zinc Carbonate (ZnCO₃)
Lapis Haematites - Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
Lapis Infernalis - Fixed vegetable alkali, I., potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Lapis Philosophorum - A mixture of fused alum, vitriol, bolus, cerussa, camphor, vinegar.
Lapis Ponderous - Calcium tungstate (CaWO₄)
Lapis Septicus - Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Lapis Serpentin - A mineral chiefly characterized by the presence of hydrous magnesium silicate (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄)
Laque - See Lac.
Laudanum - Any medicinal preparation with opium as a primary ingredient.
Lead-Glance - Lead sulphide (PbS)
Ley of (Ox-) Blood - The lixiviate from the residue produced by igniting blood with potashes.
Ley of Soapboilers - Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Light Carburetted Hydorgen - Marsh gas or methane (CH₄)
Light Inflammable Air - Hydrogen (H₂)
Lignum Nephriticum - Two distinct woods were known as lignium nephriticum: (1) the small Mexican tree or shrub Eysenhardtia polystacha and the large Philippine tree Pterocarpus indica. In the sixteenth, seventeenth, and early eighteenth centuries, cups, powders, and dried extracts of this wood were thought to have a great medicinal powers. The infusion was flourescent.
Lignum Vitae - "Tree of Life" The wood , and sometimes the resin, of several semitropical trees, but most often referring to Guaiacum.
Limation - Filing on a metal piece to reduce it to filings. Sometimes used for simply polishing an object.
Lime - Calcium oxide (CaO).
Lime, Carbonate of - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Lime, Quick - Calcium oxide (CaO)
Lime, Slaked - CALCIUM (Ca(OH)₂)
Limestone - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Lime Water - A solution of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Liquescent (Salts) - See Deliquescence.
Liquor Fumans Boyle (Spiritus Fumans Boyle) - Ammonium polysulphide ((NH₄)S₂; (NH₄)₂S₅).
Liquor Fumans Libavh (Fuming Liquor of Libavius) - Stannic chloride (SnCl₄).
Liquor of Flints - See Liquor Silicum.
Liquor Hoffman - A mixture of ethanol and ether.
Liquor of Liravius - See smokinf spirit of Libavius.
Liquor Silicum (Liquor of Flints) - A solution of potassium silicate (K₂ SiO₃). Sometimes Used for other soluble silcates.
Litharge - Yellow lead oxide (PbO)
Lithomarge - Soft, claylike substances, such as kaolin.
Litmus - A blue pigment, extracted from certain lichens. It is acid sensitive, turning red in the presence of an acid. The red form turns blue again when a base is added.
Liver of Antimony - Fused antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃). Usually produced from the detonation of equal parts of crude antimony and potassium nitrate.
Liver of Arsenic - Fused mixture of potassium carbonate and (white) arsenic. May have contained some potassium arsenate.
Liver of Sulphur (Hepar Sulphuris) - Produced by heating potassium carbonatee with sulphur. Not a true compund, it is a metastable mixture of potassium polysulfides and sulfate. (K₂S, K₂S₂, K₂S₃, K₂S₄, K₂S₅, K₂SO₄)
Lixivial Salts - Salts prepared by lixiviations.
Lixiviate of Mars - Possibly a tincture of iron, of which there were many different preperations. Typically, these were solutions of salts of iron to which rectified spirit of wine(ethanol, (CH₃CH₂OH) was added .
Lixiviation - Separation of soluble from unsoluble solid substances by soaking the mixture of solids and removing the resulting solution which contained the soluble material.
Lixivium - A solution produced by lixiviation. Sometimes used as a general synonym for "Solution"
Lixivium of Tartar - A solution of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Load (Load) - Any ore.
Logwood - The American tree Haematoxylon Campechionum, used in dying. It produces dark shades: blacks, blues, and dark grays.
Lucillite - A variety of limestones.
Lunar Cornea - Fused silver chloride (AgCl).
Lunar Caustic - Fused silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
Lunar Crystals - Finely divided parts of silver nitrate (AgNO₃). In preparing these crystals great care was taken to use only the purest silver and nitric acid possible.
Lunar Nitre - Silver nitrate (AgNO₃).

Mageration - The softening and weakening of a solid sample, even to the piont of partial decomposition, by soaking it in a liquid.
Magisterium Tartari Vitriolati - Probably potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Magistery of (any substance) - A precipitate of any substance, i.e., a pure form of the substance which has been separated by precipitation.
Magistery of Bismuth - Basic bismuth nitrate (BiNO₃ ^. H₂O); sometimes the oxide (BiO) or even the oxychloride (BiOCl).
Magistery of Coral - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Magistery of Sulfur - Precipitated milk of sulphur (S).
Magistry - Any substance prepared from the basic elements of the substance without impurities. A magistry was supposed to be closer to the ideal for a substance than was usual for real chemical preparations.
Magnesia - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃). [Modern magnesia = magnesium oxide (MgO)]. Some chemists called magnesium (Mg) by the name magnesia.
Magnesia Aerata - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).
Magnesia Alba - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).
Magnesia Nigra - Manganese dioxide (MnO₂).
Magnesia Salita - Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂).
Malachite - Basic copper carbonate (CuCO₃ ^. Cu(OH)₂).
Malic Acid - An acid extracted from apples and various other fruits. Pure malic acid is C₄H₆O₅.
Malt - Barley or other suitable grains after a preparation for brewing or distilling that usually included soaking, germination, and drying.
Manganese - Manganese dioxide (MnO₂). Manganese as we know it was called reglus of manganese.
Manna Mercurii - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Marble - A hard, crystalline, mineral form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Marcasita Plumbea - Antimony (Sb).
Marcasites - Minerals similar in appearance or properties to iron pyrites (FeS₂). Later, a general term for pyrites. Sometimes the term was used for sulfides of arsenic (As₂S₂, As₂S₃, As₂S₅).
Marchpane - See Marzipan.
Marine Acid - Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Marine Acid Air - Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Marine Alkali - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Marl (Marle) - A loose soil of clays and calcium carbonate (CuCO₃).
Mars (of Mars) - A substance related in some way to iron.
Marsh Gas - Methane (CH₄).
Martial Balls - A mixture of iron fillings (Fe) and cream of tartar (KHC₄H₄O₆).
Martial Ethiops - Hydrated ferrosoferric oxide (Fe₃O₄ ^. xH₂O).
Martial Extract - Concentrated tincture of mars. A concentrated solution, the chief component of which may have been ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)₂).
Marzipan - A confection of pounded almonds, sugar, and other ingredients.
Matrass - A vessel with a round bottom and long, slender neck. Used as part of several common types of distillation apparatus.
Menstruum - A solvent.
Mephitic (as adjective) - Noxious; poisonous or pestilential.
Mephitic Acid - Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
Mephitic Air - Carbonic acid (CO₂).
Mercurius Calcinatus - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Merc. Calcin. Nitrat - Mercuric nitrate (Hg(NO₃)₂).
Mercurius Corrosivus - Mercuric chloride HgCl₂.
Mercuric Corrosivus Ruber - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Mercurius Dulcis (Calomel, Mercurious Sublimatus Dulcus, Mild Mercury) - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Mercurius Praecipitatus Per Se - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Mercurius Praecipitatus Ruber - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Mercurius Solubilis Hahnemanni - Mercuric oxide (Hg₂O).
Mercurius Sublimatus Dulcis (Calomel, Mercurius Dulcis, Mild Mercury) - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Mercurius Sublimatus Rubeus non Corrosivas - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Mercurius Vitae - Mixture of antimony oxychloride and antimony oxides (Sb₂O₃; Sb₂O₄, Sb₂O₅, SbOCl). In some contexts the term may mean just antimony oxychloride (SbOCl).
Mercurius Vitae Antimonii - Mixture of antimony oxychloride and antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃; Sb₂O₅, SbOCl).
Mercury of Life - See Mercurius Vitae.
Metallic Salt - Compound of a metal and an acid.
Miasma (Miasmata) - A noxious or infectious subtle material (e.g., a vapor or exhalation) thought to be from decaying organic matter. Sometimes used for any unseen poisonous or infectious substance.
Mica - A mixed mineral form composed mostly of aluminum silicate but with silicates of other metals. Several complicated minerals are variously, and in combination, referred to as mica; e.g., biotite K(Mg, Fe)₃AlFeSi₃O₁₀(OH, F)₂.
Microcosmic Salt - Sodium ammonium phosphate (NaNH₄HPO₄ ^. 4H₂O).
Mild Alkali - Alkalies which produce effervescence with acids; i.e., carbonates (-CO₃²¯)
Mild Calcareous Earth - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Mild Magnesian Earth - Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).
Mild Mercury - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Mild Vegetable Alkali - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Milk of Lime - Calcium hydroxide (suspension) (Ca(OH)₂).
Milk of Sulfur - Finely divided sulfur (S) in solution. Usually the product of the reaction between a soluble sulfide and an oxidizing acid.
Minderer's Spirit - A solution of ammonium acetate (NH₄C₂H₃O₂).
Mineral Alkali - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Mineral Anodyne of Hoffman (Liquor of Hoffman) - A mixture of ethanol and ether (C₂H₅OH), (CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃).
Mineral Crystal - Sal prunella = potassium nitrate with a small admixture of potassium sulfate (HNO₃; K₂SO₄).
Minium (Red Lead) - Lead tetroxide (Pb₃O₄).
Mixt - A chemical union of two or more true "elements" or "principles." Later, any substance which could be resolved into constituent parts only by chemical means. Although the term has greater philosophical complexities, it was roughly equivalent to our term "compound," but the latter is not to be considered a synonym.
Mixtura Salina - Saline mixture prepared by saturating potassium carbonate with lemon juice and adding syrup of black currants, julep.
Mofette - An exhalation or vapor of a mephitic (noxious or poisonous) gas.
Mohr's Salt - Ferrous ammonium sulfate (FeSO₄((NH₄)₂SO₄ ^. 6H₂O).
Molybdaena - Native molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂).
Mordant - Any substance which fixes or holds a colorant in the material to be dyed.
Mortify - To change or destroy the normal, external form or appearance of a substance.
Mosaic Gold - Stannic sulfide (SnS₂).
Mucilagenous Matter - Any semisolid material that was soft, moist, and viscous.
Mundic (Mundick) - Iron pyrites (FeS₂). Sometimes used for other pyrites or as a general term for pyrites.
Muriates - Chlorides (-Cl¯).
Muriatic Acid - Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Muriatic Ether - Probably impure ethyl chloride (CH₃CH₂Cl).

Naples Yellow - Lead antimoniate (Pb₃(SbO₄)₂).
Naptha - Any highly inflammable, volatile, naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons. Also could be obtained as the "lightest" fraction in the distillation of asphalts, bitumens, and petroleum.
Natrium - Sodium.
Natron (Natrum) - Sodium sesquicarbonate, a naturally occurring combination of sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) in the ratio 1:1 (Na₂CO₃ ^. NaHCO₃ ^. 2H₂O).
Neutral Arsenical Salt of Macquer - Potassium dihydrogen arsenate (KH₂AsO₄).
Neutral Salts - Salts resulting from the reaction of an acid and a base (hydroxide) but having no characteristics of either acid or base.
Nihil Album (sometimes just Nihil) - Flowers of zinc, zinc oxide (ZnO).
Nitrated Earths, Metals, etc. - Nitrates (-NO₃).
Nitre (Common Nitre) - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Nitre Fixed by Tartar - A mixture of nitre and tartar left after reaction between the two.
Nitre with an earthy base - Usually calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂).
Nitreum (Bergman) - Nitrous acid (HNO₂).
Nitro-Aerial Spirit - The hypothetical subtle substance which was though by some to be responsible for the ability to nitre to support combustion and to be a key component of detonations
Nitrous Acid - Nitrous Acid (HNO₃).
Nitrous Acid Vapor (Priestly) - Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂).
Nitrous Air (Priestly) - Nitric Oxide (NO)
Nitrous Ether - Ethyl nitrite (CH₃CH₂NO₂).
Nitrous Gas (Lavoisier) - Nitric Oxide (NO)
Nitrum Aegypticum - Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Nitrum Antimoniatum - Product containg potassium nitrate, nitrite, and antimonate.
Nitrum Commun - See commom Nitre
Nitrum Cubic - See Cubic Nitre
Nitrum Fixatum (Nitrum Fixum, Fixed Nitre) - An ofter impure preparation of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Nitrum Flammans - Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃).
Nitrum Regeneratum - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Nitrum Saturni - Lead Nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂).
Nitrum Stibnatum - Probably anitmony nitrate (2Sb₂O₃ ^. N₂0₅).
Nitrum Sulphure Purgatum - Mixture of potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate (KNO₃; K₂SO₄).
Nitrum Vitriolatum - Mixture of potassium nitrate and potassium bisulfate (K₂SO₄; KHSO₄).
Non Metals - A term used by William Cullen and his students for the following group of substances; zinc (Zn), anitmony (Sb), bismuth (Bi). arsenic (As), platinum (Pt), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni).

Ochre - A class of mineral solids which, in powdered form, were commonly used as pigments. Their colors varied from yellow to brown, including reddish hues. Chemically, the ocheres are iron oxides, or mixtures of iron oaxides, in varying states of hydration. For example red ochre is primarily Fe₂O₃. Silicates, carbonates, sulfates, etc. also were commonly present with these oxides.
Ochroite - Cerium Oxide (CeO₂).
Offa Helmonth - Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Oil - Any relatively insoluble, inflammable, somewhat viscous liquid.
Oil Gas - Mixture of methane, carbon monoxide, and butlylene (CH₄, CO, C₄H₈).
Oil of Arsenic - Arsenic trichloride (AsCl₃)
Oil of Chalk - Calcium chloride solution (CaCl₂).
Oil Cloves - An oily substance extracted from the buds and flower stalks of the clove tree Caryophyllus aromaticus. Used as medicinal
Oil of Dippel - The insoluble, viscous fraction from decomposed animal matter that has gone through repeated distillations.
Oil of Hartshorn - A crude animal oil obtained from the destructive distillation of bones
Oil of Lime - A solution of calcium chloride (CaCl₂).
Oil of Rue - The oil extracted from evergreens of the genus Ruta. Used as Medicinal
Oil Sulphur - Concentrated sulfuric acid. Sometimes the term was used fro alkaline sulphide of ammonia (NH₄)₂S).
Oil of Tartar - Concentrated potassium carbonate solution (K₂CO₃).
Oil of Tartar per Deliquium - Potassuim carbonate, which is hydroscopic, dissolved in the water which its extracts from the air.
Oil of Venus - Concentrated solution of copper nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂.
Oil of Vitriol - Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄).
Oil of Wine - A hypothetical component of alcohol thought to give it its odor and inflammability
Olea Terebinthine - terpentine
Olefiant Gas - Ehtylene (C₂H₂).
Oleum Dulce - See Oil of Wine
Oleum Suphuris per Campanum - Sufuric Acid (H₂SO₄) prepared by burning sufur under a bell jar and later concentrating and purifying the product by heating to drive off water and sulfur dioxide.
Oleum Succini - Concentrated succinic acid( HOOCCH₂CH₂COOH).
Oleum Tartar per Demiquium - See Oil of Tartar per Deliquium
Oleum Vitriol - Oil of Vitriol
Orpiment - arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃).
Oxycarburetted Hydrogen - Water gas mixture or hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide, (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Oxymuriatic Acid - Chlorine (Cl₂).

Panacea - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Pan-Stone - Calcium sulfate (CuSO₄).
Parting - The operation by which gold and silver are separated from each other.
Pearl Ash - The whitest potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) extracted from calcined plants. In a sense, then, pearl ash is purified potash.
Pearl White - Bismuth oxychloride [BiOCl].
Pelican - A special distillation apparatus. The condensing head had two curved tubes emerging on opposite sides. These tubes led down and entered the lower section or body of the vessel; thus, the condensed liquid ran back to the heated section where it was revaporized, giving a cyclic action. The pelican was especially effective for reactions that took place in the vapor phase.
Pellicle - Any thin saline crust that forms on a solution.
Per Campanum - Any process carried out under a solution.
Per Deliquium - A hygroscopic salt was said to "run per deliquium" when it changed from solid to liquid by extracting water from the air.
Perlate Salt - Sodim phosphate (Na₃PO₄).
Perspiration - Spontaneous evaporation or (less often) vaporization through heating. Also used to indicate condensation of moisture on a relatively cool body.
Perspirative - A medcinal which promoted perspiration.
Petrolia - Liquid bitumens.
Petunise - A white mineral solid used in the manufacture of porcelain.
Pewter - An alloy of tin. Originally with up to one-fifth lead, but later bismuth and copper were substituted for lead.
Philosopher's Wool - Zinc Oxide (ZnO).
Philosophical Flowers of Vitriol - Boric acid (H₃BO₃).
Philosophical Foliated Earth - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Philosophical Mercury - An alchemical term signifying the property-bearing principle of chemical activity.
Philosophical Sal Ammoniac - Ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄).
Philosphical Spirit of Nitre - Nitric acid prepared by distilling saltpeter with oil of vitriol (HNO₃).
Philosophical Spirit of Tartar - Potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHC₄H₄O₆) distilled with wine.
Philosophical Spirit of Vitriol - Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Philosophical Spirit of Wine. - Spirit of wine (alcohol) concentrated by freezing (CH₂CH₃OH).
Philosophical Water - Aqua regia. A solution of hydrochloric and nitric acids, usually in ratios from 2:1 to 4:1 (HCl to HNO₃).
Phlegm - A general term for any aqueous fraction of a distillation.
Phlogisticated Acid of Nitre - Nitrous acid (HNO₂).
Phlogisticated Acid of Vitriol - Sulphurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Phlogisticated Air - Nitrogen (N₂).
Phlogisticated Alkali - Potassium ferrocyanide (K₄Fe(CN)₆ ^. 3H₂O).
Phlogisticated Calx of Iron - Ferrous oxide (hydroxide) (FeO).
Phlogisticated Earth of Molybdaena - The solid reduction of molybdic acid.
Phlogisticated Manganese - Manganous carbonate (MnCO₃).
Phlogisticated Nitre - Impure potassium nitrite (KNO₂).
Phlogisticated Nitrous Acid - Nitrous acid (HNO₂).
Phlogisticated Vitriolic Acid - Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Phlogiston - A hypothetical substance originally used to account for the property of inflammability. It later was made to carry many more properties and formed a central point for the theoretical beliefs of a central point for the theoretical beliefs of a number of eighteenth-century chemists.
Phlogiston Elasticum - Hydrogen (H₂).
Phosphorated Iron - Ferric phosphate (FePO₄).
Phosphorated Mercury - Mercuric phosphate (Hg₃(PO₄)₂).
Phosphorated Vegetable Alkali - Potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄).
Phosphorous - Sometimes used for any phosphorescent substance.
Phosphorous of Baldwin - Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂).
Phosphorous of Homberg - Calcium chloride (CaCl₂).
Phosphorous of Urine - As the name implies, a form of phosphorous (P) extracted from urine.
Pierre Infernale - Fused silver nitrate AG(NO₃)). [Not to be confused with "Infernal Stone."]
Pinch Beck - A gold colored alloy of about five parts cooper (Cu) to one part zinc (Zn).
Pinguious (Pinguinous) - Fatty, oily
Plaster - Any semisolid plastic mixture that could be applied to a a surface and then spontaneously cured or hardened. One of the oldest plasters is a mixture of slake lime (Ca(Oh)₂), sand, and hair. The term also was used to refer to impure lead oleate (Pb(C₁₈H₃₃O₂)₂).
Plaster of Paris - Calcium sulfate monohydrate ((CaSO₄)₂ ^. H₂O).
Platina - Platinum (Pt.), or sometimes the usually impuer form of platinum found in nature that is alloyed with other exotic metals.
Plumbago - Carbon (C) in the form of graphite.
Plumbum Album - Basic lead carbonate (2PbCO₃ ^. Pb(OH)₂). Sometimes the term was applied to basic lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂) ^. Pb(OH)₂ ^. H₂O).
Plumbum Cinereum - Bismuth (Bi).
Plumbum Corneum (Horn Lead) - Lead chloride (PbCl₂).
Plumbum Stridens - Tin (Sn)
Pneumatic - Pertaining to subtle, rarified, or vaporous substances such as air. In modern terms, gaseous.
Pneumatic Trough - An apparatus developed over the eighteeth century from John Mayow (1641-1679) through Stephen Hales (1677-1761) to Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794). The trough was any large pan or vat in which inverted bottles full of water could be supported. In glass tubes conducted the gases from the vessels in which the were generated outside the trough to the inverted bottle in the trough, where the gases were trapped and held.
Point of Saturation - The instant when the exact proportions of the two "saline principles" ( one from an acid, the other from a base) unite to form a perfectly neutral salt.
Pomphlix - Flowers of zinc (ZnO).
Ponderous Spar - Barium Sulfate (BaSO₄).
Pot Ash - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Powder of Algaroth - Antimony oxychoride (SbOCl)
Precipitant - A substance serving as intermediary to separate two other substances from each other.
Praecipitate Per Se - Mercuric Oxide (HgO).
Praecipitatus Albus - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Praecipitatus Vigonis - Mercuric Oxide (HgO).
Precipitate of Sulfur - Precipitated milk of sulfur (S).
Precipitation - The phenomenon in which a solid is formed within a solution and falls to the bottom of the vessel in which the solution was contained.
Primus Metal - See Prince Rupert's Metal
Prince Rupert's Metal (Bath Metal, Primus Metal, Princes Metal) - A brass metal alloy in which the ratios of copper (Cu) to Zinc (Zn) are approximately 4 to 1.
Prince's Metal - See Prince Rupert's Metal
Principle - One of the simplest forms of matter, from which other substances are formed through combinations with other principles or other combinations of principles. Although there are similariteies to the modern term "element", the two are not truly synonymous.
Proximate Principles - Components obtained through the chemical analysis which themselves are compounds but presumed to be simpler than the original substance.
Prussian Blue - Ferric ferrocyanide (Fe₄[Fe(Cn)₆]₃).
Prussian Acid - Hydrocyanic acid (HCN).
Pulvis Algarothi - Antimonious oxychloride (SbOCl).
Pulvis Fulminans - An explosive mixture made from potassium nitrate, potasium carbonate, and sufur.
Pumice - A light porous stone of mixed silicates.
Pure Clay - Alumina. Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃).
Pure Ponderous Earth - Baryta. Barium Oxide. (BaO)
Purfication - Any process in which one substance is rendered free, or relatively free, of other substance. Common methods included distillation, crystallization, and precipitation.
Pyrites - Originally, any mineral which could strike sparks from steel. The term was often used to refer iron pyrites (FeS₂).
Pyroligneous Acid - Crude acetic acid from wood (HC₂H₃O₂).
Pyroligneous Spirit - Methyl alcohol (CH₃OH).

Quadrangular Nitre - Sodium Nitrate (NaNO₃).
Quartation - The process of combining gold (Au) and silver (Ag) in the ratio 1:3. When the combination is dissolved in nitric acid, the silver is dissolved and the gold is separated, free from impurities.
Quartz - A mineral whose primary component is silicon dioxide (SiO₂). Its color and other aspects of its appearance depended on the impurities present.
Quicklime - Calcium oxide (CaO).
Quicksilver - Mercury (Hg).
Quicksilver Calcined Per Se - Mercuric oxide (HgO).
Quintessence - A mixture of an essential oil and alcohol.
Quintessence of Lead - Acetone (CH₃COCH₃).

Rabel's Water - The liquid obtained by macerating poppy flowers in a mixture of sulphuric acid and alcohol for some days and then filtering.
Ramous - (1) Individual (fundamental) particles of viscous or rigid bodies; (2) branching or filiment-like parts of a liquid mixture.
Realgar - Arsenic disulfide (As₂S₂).
Receiver - The vessel attached to the condensing part of a distillation apparatus in order to receive the condensed products from the distillation.
Recrement - Solid waste or refuse from a chemical operation, e.g., scoria.
Rectification - The purifying or refining of a substance by one or (usually) more distillations.
Red Arsenic (Realgar) - Native arsenic disulphide (As₂S₂).
Red Bole - A red clay that contained silicates of iron and aluminum. Used as a red pigment and as a base for gilding.
Red Flowers of Antimony - Probably antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₅).
Red Ochre - A mineral solid approximately 95 percent red iron oxide (Fe₂O₃). An old and important pigment.
Red Precipitate - See Red Precipitate of Mercury.
Red Precipitate of Mercury - Impure mercuric oxide (HgO).
Red Saunders (Red Sanders) - The wood from the tree Pterocarpus santalinus, commonly called red sandlewood. Used in dyeing.
Reductoin - The returning of a substance to a previous or original condition; e.g., the restoring of a metal to the metallic state from its oxide.
Refractory Earths - Mineral substances that do not fuse under the action of fire.
Refrigoratory - A vessel at the top or head of some stills that is surrounded by or filled with cold water to condense any vapors in tubes or vessels within it.
Regenerated Marine Salt - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Regenerated Sea Salt - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Regenerated Tartar - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂). In this form, the compound was made from distilled vinegar and salt of tartar.
Reguline Caustic - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Regulus - The pure form of a metal, e.g., regulus of antimony.
Retory - A vessel with a long neck bent down at the point where it joins the body of the vessel. Especially suited for the distillation of substances under low heat.
Revivification - The restoration of a metal to the metallic state from one of its compounds. Similar to, but broader in scope, than "reduction."
Risigallum - See Rock Alum.
Rochelle Salt (Seignette Salt) - Potassium sodium tartrate (KNaC₄H₄O₆ ^. 4H₂O).
Rock Alum - Usually larger crystals or formations of potassium aluminum sulfate (KAl(SO₄)₂ ^. 12H₂O). Alum of this quality often was imported from Italy.
Rock-Crystal - Pure, colorless, transparent, crystalline quartz occurring naturally in large prismatic crystals. Silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
Rog - Concentrated native vegetable acid. From the usual preparations, it would be primarily citric acid (C₆H₈O₇).
Roman Vitriol - Copper sulfate (CuSO₄). In Britain this terms was sometimes used for ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).
Russian Pot Ash - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Rust of Copper - See Verdigris.

Sacchareted Lime - Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄).
Saccharum Saturni - Lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Saffron - A range of orange -yellow colors. The color called saffron comes from the dye of the same name, which is an extract of the plant Crocus sativus.
Saffron of Gold. - See Aurum Fulminans.
Saffron of Iron. - See Saffron of Mars.
Saffron of Mars - Any yellowish iron compound, e.g., hydrated ferroso ferric oxide (Fe₃O₄ ^. xH₂O) or ferric sulfide (Fe₂S₃).
Saffron of Metal - A mixture of antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃), nitre (KNO₃), and antimony sulfate (Sb₂(SO₄)₃).
Sal Absinthi (Salt of Wormwood) - Mostly potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Sal Albus - Borax (sodium tetraborate) (Na₂B₄O₇ ^. 10H₂O).
Sal Alkali Vitriolatum - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Alkanus Vegetablis - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Sal Amarum - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sal Ammoniac (Sal Armoniac) - Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl). Sometimes used for other ammonium salts.
Sal Ammoniacum Fixum - Calcium chloride (CaCl₂)
Sal Ammoniacum Volatilis - A term variously used for any salt solution that gave off the odor of ammonia. When referring to solid salts the term meant ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Sal Anglicum (Epsom Salt) - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sal Catharticum - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sal Catharticum Amarum - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sal Catholicum - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal de Duobus - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal de Seignette (Sal de Soinette) - See Seignetteís Salt.
Sal Digestiv - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Sal di Modena - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sal Diureticus - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Sal Duplicatum - Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Enixum - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Epsom (Epsom Salt) - Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Sales Medii - See Sal Medium.
Sales Salsi - See Sal Salsam.
Sal gemme (Sal Gem) - Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Sal Gentianae - Mostly potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Sal Glauber (Glauberís salt) - Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄).
Sal Guaiaci ex Ligno - Mostly potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Saline Bodies (Cullen) - Substances which are (a) sapid, (b) miscible with water, and (c) noninflammable.
Salited Earths, Metals, etc. - Chlorides (Cl¯).
Sal Juniperi - Mostly potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Sal Kali (Sodium Carbonate) - Soda (Na₂CO₃).
Sal Marinus - Sea Salt; mostly sodium chloride (NaCl).
Sal Marinus Fontan - Sodium chloride (NaCl) as found in or near landlocked bodies of water.
Sal Marinus Regeneratus - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Sal Martis - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).
Sal Medium (Sal Salsum) (Sales Medii) - Any neutral salt that would not precipitate solutions made with acid or alkaline slats and would not change the color of syrup of violets.
Salmiac - See Salt Ammoniac.
Sal Mirabile (Glauber's salt) - Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄).
Sal Nitriforme Inflammable - Probably ammonium nitrate ((NH₄)NO₃).
Sal Nitrii - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Sal Perlatum - Sodium phosphate (Na₂PO₄).
Sal Polychrestrum - Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Polychrestrum Anglorum (Sal Polychrestrum Glaseri) - Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Polychrestrum de Rochelle - See Sal Polychrestrum de Seignette.
Sal Polychrestrum de Seignette - Potassium sodium tartrate (NaKC₄H₄O₆).
Sal Polychrestrum e Nitro et Sulphure - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Polychrestrum Glaseri - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Prunellae - A mixutre of potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate (KNO₃; K₂SO₄).
Sal Rupellensis (Rochelle Salt) - Hydrated potassium sodium tartrate (KNaC₄H₄O₆ ^.4H₂O).
Sal Salsam - Any neutral combination of anacid with alkali. (see also Neutral Salts, Sal Medium, or Salts.)
Sal Sapientiae - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sal Saturni - Lead acetate (PbC₂H₃O₂).
Sal Sedivatus (Sedative Salt) - Boracic boric acid, (H₃BO₃).
Sal Sennerti - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Sal Soda (Salt Soda, Soda) - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Sal Succini (Salt of Amber) - Succinic acid (HO₂CCH₂CH₂CO₂H).
Salt - In the 16th and 17th centuries this term denoted a group of solid soluble, nonimflammable substances with characteristic tastes. In the 18th century salts gradually became to be thought of in terms of process, as, for example, the product of the reaction between acids and bases, acids and other salts, or between two salts, etc. Some chemists regarded acids and bases themselves as salts or at least some saline substances. In general, salts were increasingly recognized as the largest and most important class of substances as the eighteenth century progressed.
Salt Alembroth - A mixture of equal parts of corrosive sublimate (mercuric chloride, HgCl₂) and sal ammoniac (NH₄Cl). Used as a flux for metals.
Sal Tartari - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃). It usually was produced by strongly heating tartar.
Salt Ash - Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂).
Salt of Amber - Succinic acid (C₄H₆O₄).
Salt of Art - See Salt Alembroth.
Salt of Benzoin - Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Salt of Centaury - Solid residues obtained from the calcination of any of the plant species of the genus Centaurea.
Salt of Chalk - Calcium acetate (Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Salt of Colcothar - Probably impure ferric hydroxide(Fe(OH)₃).
Salt of Coral - Calcium acetate (Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Salt of Crab's Eye - Calcium acetate (Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Salt of England - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Salt of Epsom - See Epsom Salt.
Salt of Gall -Nuts - Tannic acid (C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆).
Salt of Glass - A mixture of the various salts found in raw materials used in glassmaking. These included fixed alkali (potassium carbonate), common salt (sodium chloride), Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate), vitriolate tartar (potassium sulfate), etc.
Salt of Hartshorn - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Salt of Human Blood - A mixture if ammonium salts, including ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH), and various organic solids.
Salt of Lead (Sugar of Lead) (Sal Saturn) - Lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Salt of Lime - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitated from limewater (calcium hydroxide solution, Ca(OH)₂) by a carbonate compound.
Salt of Mars - Most often used for ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄). Occasionally used as a general term for any iron salt and as a specific name for ferrous acetate (Fe(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Salt of Milk - Probably calcium lactate (Ca(C₃H₅O₃)₂).
Salt of Oxbone - Impure ammonium salts from bone extracts of cattle (NH₄OH).
Salt of Science - See Salt Alembroth.
Salt of Sedlitz - See Sedlitz Salt. (Sometimes sedlitz salt was confused with Glauber's salt.)
Salt of Soda - See Soda.
Salt of Sorrel - Acid potassium oxylate (KHC₂O₄).
Salt of Steel - Loosely applied to various iron salts. Most commonly applied to martial vitriol. (Ferrous Sulfate; FeSO₄).
Salt of Sulphur - Impure potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Salt of Sylvius (Febrifugal Salt of Sylvius) - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Salt of Tachenius - Impure potassium and sodium carbonates (K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃) obtained from the incomplete combustion of plant products. These salts contained organic impurities.
Salt of Tartar - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Salt of Urine - Impure ammonium salts extracted from urine.
Salt of Vinegar - Impure potassium sulfate. Probably mixed with acetates and citrates.
Salt of Wisdom - See Salt Alembroth.
Salt of Wormwood - Mostly potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Sal Vitrioli - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).
Sal Volatile Fixatum - Ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄).
Sal Volatile Oleosi - Any solid extracted from animals or vegetable matter containing ammonium salts, e.g., salts of hartshorn, etc.
Sandarach - (1) See Realgar; (2) a resin from the tree Callitris quadrivalvis.
Sadniver (Glass Gall) - A solution containing a mixture of salts found on the surface of glass after vitrification.
Saphire - See Sapphire.
Sapid - To have a decided, yet pleasant taste.
Saponaceous - To be soapy, slippery, sometimes foaming.
Sapphire - A clear blue gem material which is like ruby, a crystalline form of alumina. ( Al₂O₃
Sarcocolla - A gum resin imported form the Middle East.
Sarsparilla - The roots of plants of the family smilaceae from which gummy and resious extracts are obtained.
Sassafras - A term applied both to the reee Sassafras officinale and to its bark when dried and prepared.
Saturation - The action by which a "perfect" union between an acid and an alkali is accomplished. Its product is a neutral salt.
Saturn (of Saturn) - Used in referring to lead or to compounds containing lead.
Saunders - See Red Saunders.
Scammony - A gummy, resinous juice from the root of the plant Convolvulvus scammonia.
Scheele's Green - Cupric hydrogen arsenite (CuHAsO₃).
Schorl - A black mineral. Now known as a variety of tourmaline.
Schwartz Blei Weiss (Black White -Lead) - Plumago (graphite) (C_N).
Scordium - The plant Teucrium scordium from which gummy and resious extracts are obtained. It has an odor of garlic.
Scoria - The undesirable solid residues or slag which remain after a metal has been separated from an ore.
Scorification - Any process which produces scoria or slag. Sometimes used for processes which ield metal or semimetals. Scorifiation usually involved the addition of other substances to the ore, then heating.
Secret Fixed Sulphur of the Philosophers - Calcined residue when sulphur is distilled with linseed oil.
Secret Sal Ammoniac (Glauber's Secret Sal Ammoniac) - Ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄)).
Sedative Salt - Usually boric acid, but sometimes sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇).
Sedative Spar - Calcium borate (CaB₄O₇).
Sedlitz Salt (Epsom Salt) - Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO₄).
Seignette's Salt - Sodium potassium tartrate (Rochelle's salt) (NaKC₄H₄O₆).
Selenite - The various minerals forms of Calcium sulphate (CaSO₄).
Selenitic Spar - Any mineral assigned to the family of "spars" that could be calcined like gypsum (CaSO₄ ^. 2H₂O).
Semi -Metals - Substances which have the properties characteristic of metals except for ductility and which sublime. Different chemists had different lists, but most included antimony (Sb), arsenic (As); bismuth (Bi), cobalt (Co), and Zinc (Zn). Some included mercury (Hg) and, later in the century, nickel (Ni).
Sena (Senna) - Several similar plants of the genus Cassia from the leaves of which gummy and resinous extracts were obtained.
Senegal - A gum extract from the root of the North American species Polygala senega.
Senna - See Sena.
Separationg -Glass - A vessel narrow at the top, then bellying out in the center, and narrowing again to a hollow tube or stem. Shaped somewhat like the modern spearatory funnel anbd often used for similiar purposes.
Serpentine - A steatite, usually green.
Shoot - When crystals appeared, especially suddenly in a saturated solution, they were said to "shoot".
Siderum - Iron phosphide (Fe₃P).
Silex - Silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
Silicious Earth (Silcia) - Silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
Similor - A copper zinc alloy with a color approximating that of real gold.
Slaked Lime - Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).
Smalt - A blue, glassy substance used as a pigment. The blue comes from cobaltous oxide (CuO). Smalt also contains silica (SiO₂).
Smelting - The process opf extracting a metal from its ore.
Smo(a)king Spirit of Libavius - Primarily stannous chloride (SnCl₂) but with chlorides of mercury mixed in.
Smo(a)king Spirit of Nitre - Concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃).
Snow of Antimony - See Flowers of Antimony.
Soap - In general, any chemical combination of acids, bases, or salts with oils that exhibit detergent action. Common soap was the product of sodium hydroxide with an oil or fat.
Soap of Glass - Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) in its role of agent to remove color bodies from glass while the glass is molten.
Soap -Rock - See Steatites.
Soapstone - See Steatite
Soda - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Soda Baryllia (Spanish) - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Soda Hispanica (Washing Soda) - Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Solder - Any fusible metal alloy used for joining two pieces of metal. Most types were alloys of tin and lead.
Soluble Tartar - Normal potassium tartrate. Probably (K₂C₄H₄O₆)
Solution - Any liquid in which one component called the "solute" is dispersed in a second component called the "solvent."
Solvend ( Cullen) - Solute
Soot - Carbon and hydrocarbon deposits from incomplete combustion of fuels.
Sorrel - Various plants of the genus Rumex from which an acid salt (acid potassium acetate) was extracted.
Spanish Earth - Vitriols (mixture) (CuSO₄; FeSO₄).
Spanish Green - Basic copper carbonate (2CuCO₃ ^. Cu(OH) ₂).
Spanish White - Bismuth oxychloride (or oxynitrate) (BiOCl; BiONO₃
Spar - A class of compounds characterized by a crystalline form that features shiny reflective plate surfaces.
Spath (Spat) Stone - A naturally occurring mineral solid containing mostly calcium sulfate (CaSO₄).
Spathic Iron Ore - Ferrous carbonate (FeCO₃)
Specificum Purgans Paracelsi - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄)
Spermaceti - The white fatty substance obtained from the head of the sperm whale. Used in pharmaceuticals and candles.
Sphacelated - Gangerenous
Spikenard - The aromatic extract from the Indian plant Nardostachys jalamansi. The term was also used for the plant itself.
Spirit - (1) Any liquor obtained from another substance by distillation; (2) later, any subtle substance dissolved in another substance. The concept gradually veered ttoward what we now call the gaseous state.
Sp. Ammon. Cum Calce Viva - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Spirit Ammon. Sal. Vol. - Mostly ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Spirit of Alum - Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) obtained from the destructive distillation of alum (KAl(SO₄)₂ ^. 12H₂O).
Spirit of Hartshorn - Strong solution of ammonia produced by the distillation of hartshorn (NH₄O₄).
Spirit of Libavius - Stannic cholride (SnCl₄).
Spirit of Mindererus - Ammonium acetate solution (NH₄(C₂H₃O₂).
Spirit of Wine - Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) (C₂H₅OH).
Spiritus Aceti - The acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂) obtained from distilling any fermented material which produces this acid, e.g., vinegar.
Spiritus Beguini - Ammonium polysulfide (fuming liquor of Boyle) ( (NH₄)₂S).
Spiritus CC - Ammonium carbonate ( (NH₄)₂CO₃).
Spiritus Nitri Coagulatus - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Spiritus Nitri Dulcis (Sweet spirit of Nitre) - Ethyl nitrite (C₂H₅NO₂).
Spiritus Sal Ammoniacum - See Spirit of Sal Amomoniac.
Spiritus Salis Ammoniaci Cum Sale Alkali Parata - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Spiritus Salis Coagulatus - Potassium chloride (KCl).
Spiritus Sulphuris - See Spirit of Vitriol or Spirit of Sulphur
Spiritus Sulphuris Volatilus Beguinii - Ammonium polysulphide ((NH₄)₂S).
Spirit Veneris - Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄).
Spiritus Vitrioli - See Spirit of Vitriol.
Spiritus Vitrioli Coagulatus - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Sp. Mind. - See Spirit of mindererus
Spout - Any hollow projection from a vessel that is used to direct the liquid flow while pouring. This term was most commonly applied to the spout on an alembic.
Spuma Lupi - The minderal from which tungsten was extracted.
Stagnant Gas (Marsh Gas) - Methane (CH₄).
Stamping - Crushing of ores.
Stannum Anglici - Tin (Sn) from England.
Stannum Glaciale - Bismuth (Bi)
Starkey's Soap - Saponaceous substance from the reaction between potassium carbonate and essential oil of turpentine.
Steatite - A mineral substance composed mostly of various forms of magnesium silicate, e.g., (Mg₃Si₄O₁₁ ^. H₂O).
Steel - Regarded as a form of iron which (a) contained a larger portion of the inflammable principle and (b) had fewer chemical impurities.
Stibiated Tarter - Potassium antimonyl tartrate (KSbC₄H₄O₇).
Stibium - Antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Stick Laque - See Lac.
Stinking Sulphureous Air - Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S).
Stone of bologna - A variety of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) that became phosphorescent when calcined.
Spirit of Niter "Besiardique" - Nitric acid added to "Butter of Antimony" and the mixture distilled to get a liquor which holds the "Regulus of Antimony" in solution.
Spirit of Nitre - Dilute nitric acid (HNO₃).
Spirit of Ammoniac - Ammonia (NH₃), or ammonium hydroxide solution (NH₄OH).
Spirit of Salt - hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Spirit of Saturn - Impure acetone made from lead acetate (CH₃COCH₃).
Spirit of Sea -Salt - Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Spirit of Sulfer - Mixture of sulfuric and sulfurous acids (H₂SO₄; H₂SO₃).
Spirit of Tatar - Potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHC4H4O6). Product of the dry distillation of crude tartar.
Spirit of Urine - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃). Derived from an impure solution of ammonia obtained by the distillation of urine.
Spirit of Venus - Concentrated and relatively pure acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂).
Spirit of Verdigris - Acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂).
Spirit of Vinegar - Impure acetic acid obtained by distilling vinegar (HC₂H₃O₂).
Spirit of Vitriol - Dilute sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and/ or sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Strontia - Strontium oxide (SrO).
Sublimate - Solid or concrete products of sublimation. Not powder.
Sublimation - A property possessed by some substances enabling their going directly from the solid to the gaseous state without passing through the liquid phase.
Subsatnia Ferrea Vitrioli - Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Succinum - Amber.
Sudorific - Any medicinal substance which promoted, or was believed to promote, sweating.
Sugar of (A Subtance) - Usually signifying an acetate (C₂H₃O₂).
Sugar of Lead - Lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Sulphur - (a) As a "principle," in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries the substantive causes of the properties of inflammablility, color, and odor; (b) in the doctrined of phlogiston, a compound composed of vitriolic (sulfuric) acid and the inflammable principle, "phlogiston."
Sulphur Album Fixum - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Sulphurated Iron - Ferrous sulphide (FeS).
Sulphur Minerale - Solid mineral sulphur (S).
Sulphur Of Antimony (Golden Sulphur of Antimony) - The orange sulfide of antimony, usually a mixture of the trisulfide (Sb₂S₃) with some of the pentasulfide (Sb₂S₅).
Sulphureous Salt of Stahl - Impure potassium sulfite (K₂SO₃).
Sulphureous Acid - Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₄).
Sulphurets - Sulfides (S).
Sulphureum (Bergman) - Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Sulphurous Acid (Pre -Lavoisier) - Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
Sulphur Vivum - Naturally occurring sulphur (S).
Superolefiant Gas (Dalton) - Butylene (C₄H₈).
Swedish Acid - Hydrofluoric acid (HF).
Sweetened Spirit of Salt - Ethyl chloride (C₂H₅Cl).
Sweet Mercury (Mercureous Dulis) - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Sweet Principle from oils and fats - Glycerol (HOCH₂CHOHCH₂OH).
Sweet Sublimate - Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Sympathetic Ink - Any solution that is colorless but becomes dark (and thus visible) by heating, by addition of other chemicals, etc.
Syrup of Violets - A water extract of the petals of violets.
Syrupus Violatum - See Syrup of Violets.

Tabasheer (Tabachir) - A white powder formed at the joints of bamboo shoots. Imported from the Orient and used as a medicinal.
Talc - A mixture of magnesium metasilicilate (Mg₃H₂(SiO₄)₃) with magnesium silicate (Mg₃Si₄O₁₁ ^. H₂O).
Talky Earths - (a) fibrous earths; (b) earths that suffer no change from the action of acids or fire; (c) earths that do not become viscid or hard when made into aqueous paste, e.g., asbestos.
Tannin - Any astringent vegetable substance that can react with animal hyde and convert it to leather. The most common tannin was tannic acid extracted from oak -galls.
Tar - The dense, black, inflammable liquid or semisolid obtained from the distillation of various woods or coal. A complex mixture of hydrocarbons and organic compounds.
Tartar - Potassium hydrogen tartrate (K₄HC₄H₄O₆).
Tartarated Alkali of Tartar - Potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆).
Tarter Emetic (Stibiated Tartar) - potassium antimonyl tartrate (KSbC₄H₄O₇).
Tartarified Iron - see Chalybs Tartar.
Tartarified Tincture of Iron - Ferrous tartrate solution (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Tartarin - A term occasionally used for potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Tartarized Tartar - Potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆).
Tartarized Tincture of Mars - Not a true alcohol solution, this medicinal was dubbed a tincture largely because of its deep color. Probably iron tartrate (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Tartarum Regeneratum (Regenerated Tartar) - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₃) for the most part, but also used for assorted potassium salts. Not very well defined.
Tartarum Solubus (Soluble Salt of Tartar) - Potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆).
Tartarum Tartisatum - Potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆).
Tartarum Vitriolatum (Vitriolated Tartar) - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Tartarus Citratus - Potassium citrate (K₃C₆H₅O₇ ^. H₂O).
Tartarus Nitratus - Potassium nitrate (KNO₃.
Tartarus Tartarisatus - Potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆).
Tartarus Vitriolatus - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄).
Tartre Stybie (Tartar Emetic) - Potassium antimonyl tartrate (KSbC₄H₄O₇).
Tar Water - A solution of the water -soluble components of tar. Mostly alcohols and polar organic materials.
Tectum Argenti - Bismuth (Bi).
Terebinth - The resin from the terebinth tree Pistacia terebinthuis.
Terebinthaceous - Impregnated with turpentine, having turpentine as a component, or just similar to turpentine.
Terebinthine - The refined portion or the "spirit" of the resin from the terebinth and other trees having similar resins. Very similar to what we now call turpentine.
Terra Anglica Rubra - Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Terra Foliata Nitri - Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Terra Foliata Tartari - See Regenerated Tartar.
Terra Foliata Tartari Crystallisabilis - Sodium acetate (NaC₂H₃O₂).
Terra Foliata Secretissima - Solid potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂)₂.
Terra Francisca - Assorted sulfates (e.g., FeSO₄, CuSO₄)
Terra Molybdaenea - Molybdic acid (H₂MoO₄(H₂).
Terra Ponderosa - Barium sulfate (BaSO₄).
Terra Ponderosa Acetate - Barium acetate (Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Terra Ponderosa Aerata - Barium carbonate (BaCO₃).
Terra Ponderosa Molybdaenata - Barium molybdate (BaMoO₄).
Terra Foliee Animale - Ammonium acetate (NH₄C₂H₃O₂).
Terra Foliee Crystallisee - Sodium acetate (NaC₂H₃O₂).
Test - A large cupel used for refining substantial quantities of gold and silver by means of lead.
Testaceous Earths - Mineral solids that came from or were chemically similar to shells. Thus, "testaceous powders" were prepared from shells.
Testing - The operation of refining gold and silver by means of lead.
Theriac - A general term for an antidote for the poison of a venomous snake.
Tincal (Tinkal) - Crude borax imported from India.
Tinct. Tartari - Solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in alcohol.
Tinctura Antimonii - See Tincture of Antimony.
Tincture - A solution in which ethanol is the primary solvent. The term was applied most often to colored solutions.
Tincture of Antimony - A medicinal prepared from antimony metal and liver of suphur (potassium polysulfides).
Tincture of Coral - Crude acetone (CH₃COCH₃).
Tincture of Mars - A general term for various medicinal preparations involving iron salts. Common components included ferrous hydroxide and mixed tartrates and oxides.
Tincture of Mars of Mynsight - An alcohol solution in which the solute is primarily ferric chloride (FeCl₃).
Tin -Glass - Bismuth (Bi).
Tinging - When one substance tinges or slightly colors another.
Torrefaction - Roasting of ores in the hope of removing impurities.
Tourmaline (Tourmalin, Ash -Stone) - A mineral solid consisting of various forms of silicoborate, including the black mineral "Schorl."
Tournsole - See Turnsol.
Triplesalts - Salts which seemed to have three components rather than the usual two, e.g., alum (KAl (SO₄)₂ ^. 12H₂O).
Tripoli (Infusoria Earth, Rotten -Stone) - A finely divided mineral solid used for polishing. Obtained from the shells of diatoms.
Tritorium - A vessel used for the separation of immisicible liquids. It was often shaped somewhat like two modern separatory funnels cut near their tops and fused together. Basically the same as a separating glass.
Trituration - Mechanical breakdown or division of solid substances through grinding; e.g., with mortar and pestle, in a mill, etc.
Triture - See Trituration.
Trona - Naturally occurring sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). It usually had some bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) in it as well.
Tubulated Retort - A retort which had a sealable opening in the top to allow addition or removal of material without changing the position of the retort.
Tung Spat - See Heavy Spar.
Tunsgten (Scheelite) - Native calcium tungstate (CaWO₄)
Turmaric - A powder mad from the root of the imported East Indian plant Curcuna Longa.
Turners Yellow - Yellow lead oxychloride (PbCl₂ ^. 3PbO).
Turnsol (e) - The bluish purple substance from the plant lichen Crozophora tinctoria. Used as an indicator. Synonymous with litmus.
Turpentine - A resinous liquid extracted from various trees. Originally the extract of the terebinith tree Distacia terebinthus.
Turpeth Mineral (Turbeth Mineral) - Basic mercuric sulphate (HgSO₄ ^. 2HgO).
Tutenag (Chinese Copper) - A term occasionally applied to zinc (Zn). Also used for a white metal alloy (Chinese copper) which consisted primarily of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni). Used to alloy silver in coins and jewelry items.
Tutia - See Tutty.
Tutty - Zinc oxide (ZnO).

Uliginous - Any water, oozing matter like that in a swamp.
Ulmin - A mucilagenous substance from the inner bark of the elm.
Ultramarine - A blue pigment mad from the gem mineral lapis lazuli. The relative composition of ultramarine is not fixed, but the largest component is a sodium aluminum silicate combined with sulphur.
Umber - A mineral solid which exists in a range of brown hues. Chemically, umber is mostly a mixture of hydrous ferric oxide (Fe₂O ^. xH₂O) and manganese dioxide (MnO₂). It was believed by many in the eighteenth century to be a fossil wood originally found in Umbria near Spoleto in Italy.
Unctuous - Oily; i.e., viscous, adherent and lubricating.
Unctuous Oils - Oils that have little or no taste or odor but are relatively "oily"; i.e., are viscous, adherent, and lubricating.
Urinou Salts - Usually any ammonium salt. Sometimes any of the alkali carbonates.
Ustulation - The loss of volatile components of a substance without loss of texture or body. Cf. Calcination.

Vague Acid of Mines - An aeriform fluid which was probably largely sulphur dioxide (SO₂).
Vapour - Rather loosely applied to any aeriform substance or phase. Perhaps the best eighteenth century definition was any aeriform substance that could be liquefied by cold.
Vapour of Arsenic - Aresenious oxide (As₂O₃)
Varnish - A resin in solution. "Spirit" varnishes were resins dissolved in turpentine or alcohol. "Oil" varnishes were resins dissolved in linseed and/or other oils.
Vegetable Acid - Any acidic substance extracted from whole or fermented vegetable matter. Thus, the term was applied to acetic (CH₃COOH), citric (C₆H₈O₇), and tartaric (C₄H₆O₆) acids, etc.
Vegetable Acid, Fermentative - Primarily acetic acid from vinegar (HC₂H₃O₂).
Vegetative Acid, Native - Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇)
Vegetable Alkali (Potash) - Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Vegetable Ammoniacal Salt - Solid ammonium acetate (NH₄C₂H₃O₂)
Vegetable Salt - See Tartarified Tartar or Soluble Tartar.
Venus (of Venus) - Usually suggested either copper or a compound of copper. Sometimes it simply indicated an acetate. (C₂H₃O₂¯).
Verdigris (Verdigrise) - A basic copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂ ^. 2Cu(OH)₂). Long used as a green pigment.
Verditer (Blue Verditer; Blue Bice) - A blue pigment made from a basic copper carbonate (2CuCO₃ ^. Cu(OH)₂) which is chemically the same as azurite.
Vermillion - The red pigment made from cinnabar (mercuric sulfide, HgS). See Cinnabar.
Vine Black - A preparation of carbon from the twigs and wood of vines. Used as a black pigment.
Vinegar of Lead - Primarily lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Vital Air - Oxygen (O₂)
Vitiated Air - Air from which oxygen has been removed, thus mainly nitrogen.
Vitresant (Vitrifiable) - Any solid that could be made into "glass".
Vitrifiable Earths (Vitreous Earths) - Mineral substances which fuse under the action of fire.
Vitrification - The chemical part of the process of making glass or of any high -temperature process which produced a glass -like substance.
Vitriol - Used mainly for ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄), but a generic term for sulfates. As with many old terms, the usage varied; e.g., some used the term for nitrates of silver and copper.
Vitriol, Blue - Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
Vitriol, Green - Ferrous (or iron) sulfate (FeSO₄)
Vitriol, White - Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄)
Vitriol (or Vitriolic) Acid - Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)
Vitriolated Earths, Metals, etc. - Sulphates.
Vitriolated Ether - Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O).
Vitriolated Tartar - Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄)
Vitriolic Ether - Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O).
Vitriol of Goslar (White Vitriol) - Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄)
Vitriol of Jove - Stannous sulfate (SnSO₄)
Vitriol of Jupiter - Stannous acetate (Sn(C₂H₃O₂)₂)
Vitriol of Mars (Green Vitriol) - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄)
Vitriol of Quick Silver - Mercuric nitrate (Hg(NO₃)₂)
Vitriol of Saturn - Lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂))
Vitriol of Silver - Occasionally, early in the century, silver nitrate (AgNO₃). As the century progressed, the term was more reasonably applied to silver sulfate (Ag₂SO₄)
Vitriol of Venus - Cupric sulfate (CuSO₄)
Vitriolum Album - See White Vitriol.
Vitriolum Ammonium - Ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄)
Vitriolum Anglicum - Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄)
Vitriolum Veneris cum Alkali Fixo Praecipitatum - Basic copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂ ^. CuO ^. 6 H₂O)
Vitrium Antimonii (Glass of Antimony) - Fused antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃)
Vivifying Spirit - A hypothetical principle in the air which, according to some early eighteenth century chemists, was the active agent in combustion and respiration.
Volatile - An adjective usually used to indicate not only that a substance naturally gave off some aeriform component (as indicated by an odor) but also that it decomposed easily and gave off one or more aeriform components to the air on heating.
Volatile Acid of Nitre - Nitrous acid (HNO₂)
Volatile Acid of Sulfur (Phlogisticated Vitriolic Acid) - Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃)
Volatile Alkali - A term most commonly used for solutions of ammonia; e.g., ammonium hydroxide.
Volatile Alkali in its Concrete Form - Ammonium carbonate (NH₄CO₃)
Volatile Liver of Sulfur - Volatile product from heating sulfur with quicklime and ammonium chloride.
Volatile Sal Ammoniac - Ammonium hydroxide solution.
Volatile Salt - Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃)
Volatile Salt of Amber - See Salt of Amber
Volatile Salt of Hartshorn - Ammonium carbonate (NH₄CO₃)
Volatile Spirit of Sal Ammoniac - Ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) obtained from quicklime (calcium oxide) and sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride).
Volatile Spirit of Sulfur - The aeriform product from burning sulfur; mostly sulfur dioxide
Volatile Vitriol of Venus - Copper acetate Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂

Wash - Any fermented mixture which, after distillation, would produce distilled spirits (ethanol CH₃CH₂OH, with impurities).
Water gas - Mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO)
Water of Minderus - A solution of ammonium acetate (NH₄C₂H₃O₂).
Water of Rabel - A solution of ethyl ether (CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃) in ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH)
Wax - A term referring to beeswax only, as the hydrocarbon waxes were not available in the eighteenth century.
Whey - The liquid which remains after milk is curdled, usually in the process of cheese -making
White Arsenic - Arsenious oxide (As₂O₃)
White Calx of Antimony - Mixture of antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃) and potassium oxide (K₂O).
White Copper - An alloy of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn).
White Copperas - Zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄)
White Lead - Basic lead carbonate (Pb(CO₃)₂ ^. Pb (OH)₂)
White Manganese - Manganous carbonate (MnCO₃)
White Precipitated Mercury (Precipitate of Sublimate of Mercury) - Mercurammonium chloride (HgNH₂Cl)
White Vitriol - Zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄)
Wind Furnace - A reverberating furnace.
Wine - Often used more broadly by eighteenth -century chemists to include any potable liquid which had become "spiritous" through fermentation; e.g., beer, cider, and mead.
Witherite - Barium carbonate (BaCO₃).
Woad - A blue dye prepared from the leaves of the plant Isatis tinctoria.
Wolfram - A mineral substance Spumi lupi that was under investigation in the 18th century.
Wood Ash - Potassum carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Worm - A long, coiled tube, usually of copper, attached to the head of a distillation apparatus for the purpose of increasing condensation. A worm commonly was used in ditilling spirits.
Wormwood - The plant Artemisia absinthium, the leaves of which were used to make an extract by distillation. Used as a medicinal.
Wort - An infusion of grain, usually malt, which was fermented to produce beer.
Woulfe Bottle - A bottle with two or more necked orifices that was used in distillation.

Yellow - A yellow coloring agent produced by treating indigo with dilute nitric acid. This substance proved to be unstable and seldom was used as dye.
Yellow Aqua Fortis - Concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃).
Yellow Arsenic - Arsenious sulphide (As₂S₃).
Yellow Ochre - Hydrated ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃ ^. H₂O).
Yttria - A mixture of rare earth elements from the mineral gadolinite. Primarily the trioxide of yttrium (Y₂O₃).

Zaffre (Saffre) - A gray or reddish powder composed mostly of cobalt oxide (CaO).
Zeolites - A group of mineral solids which are various hydrated silicates, primarily of aluminum, calcium, potassium, and sodium. Although not really related, they share the property of swelling and "boiling" under the heat of the blowpipe.
Zinc (Zinco, Zinetum) - Regarded in the eighteenth century as a semi -metal because of its relative brittleness.

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