alkahest

American  

[al-kuh-hest] / ˈæl kəˌhɛst /

Or alcahest

noun

1. the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.

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alkahest British  

/ ˈælkəˌhɛst /

noun

1. the hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists

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Other Word Forms

• alkahestic adjective
• alkahestical adjective

Etymology

Origin of alkahest

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

Example Sentences

The edges were uneven where the alkahest had eaten away at it, but one facet was as perfectly smooth as the surface of the anchor.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

It also yielded alkahest, the universal solvent—an agent that could eat through any substance in the world: glass, stone, metal, even diamond.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

As for said alchemist, if he was having any luck with his alkahest, he was keeping it as much a secret as his key ingredient.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

“Eril-Fane will want to know. Is there any reason to be hopeful? Does the alkahest affect mesarthium at all?”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Drave had wedged his charge into the breach Thyon’s alkahest had made in the anchor.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor