alcahest

[al-kuh-hest]

noun

alkahest.

alkahest

or al·ca·hest

[al-kuh-hest]

noun

the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.

Origin of alkahest

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

Related formsal·ka·hes·tic, al·ka·hes·ti·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for alcahest

Historical Examples of alcahest

Alkahest, Alcahest, al′ka-hest, n. the universal solvent of the alchemists.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)
Various
The alcahest was his celebrated universal medicine, and was considered the greatest mystery of all.
The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy
Charles John Samuel Thompson
It was then placed in a dish and set on fire, and the residue that remained was the alcahest.
The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy
Charles John Samuel Thompson
Alchemy furnishes the theme for one tale; the protagonist seeks an alcahest, a human victim for his crucible.
The Merry-Go-Round
Carl Van Vechten

British Dictionary definitions for alcahest

alcahest

noun

a variant spelling of alkahest

alkahest

alcahest

noun

the hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists

Word Origin for alkahest

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alcahest

alkahest

"universal solvent sought by alchemists," 1640s, from French alcahest, from Medieval Latin alcahest, a pseudo-Arabic word coined by Paracelsus (see alchemy).