menstruums

1 definition found

menstruums - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Menstruum \Men"stru*um\, n.; pl. E. Menstruums, L. Menstrua.
     [L. menstruus. See Menstruous.]
     Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The proper menstruum to dissolve metal.  --Bacon.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           All liquors are called menstruums which are used as
           dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients
           by infusion or decoction.                --Quincy.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The use is supposed to have originated in some notion
           of the old chemists about the influence of the moon in
           the preparation of dissolvents. --Johnson.
           [1913 Webster]