kəˌhɛst noun
the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.
Also, alcahest.
Origin:
1635–45; < late Medieval Latin alchahest; probably coinage of Paracelsus
1635–45; < late Medieval Latin alchahest; probably 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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To alkahest
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World English Dictionary
alkahest or alcahest (ˈælkəˌhɛst) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| the hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists | |
| [C17: apparently coined by Paracelsus on the model of Arabic words] | |
| alcahest or alcahest | |
| —n | |
| [C17: apparently coined by Paracelsus on the model of Arabic words] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Alkahest
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
alkahest
"universal solvent sought by alchemists," 1640s, from Fr. alcahest, from M.L. alcahest, a pseudo-Arabic word coined by Paracelsus (see alchemy).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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