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alkahest

American  
[al-kuh-hest] / ˈæl kəˌhɛst /
Or alcahest

noun

  1. the universal solvent sought by the alchemists.


alkahest British  
/ ˈælkəˌhɛst /

noun

  1. the hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of alkahest

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

“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

He was taking another stab at alkahest, using the Strange azoth this time.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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

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

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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