menstruum

[ men-stroo-uh m, -struh m ]

/ ˈmɛn stru əm, -strəm /

noun, plural men·stru·ums, men·stru·a [men-stroo-uh, -struh] /ˈmɛn stru ə, -strə/.

a solvent.

Nearby words

menstrual period, menstruant, menstruate, menstruation, menstruous, menstruum, mensurable, mensural, mensural music, mensural notation, mensuration

Origin of menstruum

1350–1400; special use of Middle English menstruum monthly period < Medieval Latin (in L only plural mēnstrua occurs). See menstrual

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for menstruum

When the menstruum is water, a little spirit is added, to make the product keep.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
In that of the taverns and gin-shops the menstruum is usually gin, or plain spirit reduced to a corresponding strength.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
The statements in this book regarding alcohol content are approximate and are based on the alcohol contents of the menstruum used.
Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary|A. W. Hewlett
When spirit is the menstruum, the liquid receives the name of alcoholic solution, spirit, or tincture.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

These colloids appear to be separated by amyl alcohol in virtue of their greater solubility in that menstruum.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889|Various

British Dictionary definitions for menstruum

menstruum

/ (ˈmɛnstrʊəm) /

noun plural -struums or -strua (-strʊə) obsolete

a solvent, esp one used in the preparation of a drug

a solid formulation of a drug

Word Origin for menstruum

C17 (meaning: solvent), C14 (menstrual discharge): from Medieval Latin, from Latin mēnstruus monthly, from mēnsis month; from an alchemical comparison between a base metal being transmuted into gold and the supposed action of the menses

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

Medicine definitions for menstruum

menstruum

[ mĕn′strōō-əm ]

n. pl. men•stru•ums

A solvent, especially one used in extracting compounds from plant and animal tissues and preparing drugs.