alkahest

or al·ca·hest

[ al-kuh-hest ]

noun
  1. the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.

Origin of alkahest

1
First recorded in 1635–45, alkahest is from the late Medieval Latin word alchahest; probably coinage of Paracelsus

Other words from alkahest

  • al·ka·hes·tic, al·ka·hes·ti·cal, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for alkahest

alkahest

alcahest

/ (ˈælkəˌhɛst) /


noun
  1. the hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists

Origin of alkahest

1
C17: apparently coined by Paracelsus on the model of Arabic words

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