Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

ALKAHEST

 - 3 dictionary results

al⋅ka⋅hest

  [al-kuh-hest]
Use ALKAHEST in a Sentence
–noun
the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.
Also, alcahest.

Origin:
1635–45; < late ML alchahest; prob. coinage of Paracelsus

Related forms:
al⋅ka⋅hes⋅tic, al⋅ka⋅hes⋅ti⋅cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ALKAHEST
al·ka·hest   (āl'kə-hěst')   
n.  The hypothetical universal solvent once sought by alchemists.

[Medieval Latin alchahest, first used by Paracelsus (1493-1541), and said to have been coined by him in imitation of Arabic words.]
al'ka·hes'tic, al'ka·hes'ti·cal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

alkahest 
"universal solvent sought by alchemists," 1641, from Fr. alcahest, from M.L. alcahest, a pseudo-Arabic word coined by Paracelsus (see alchemy).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see ALKAHEST on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way