menstruum

[ men-stroo-uhm, -struhm ]
/ ˈmɛn stru əm, -strəm /

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

a solvent.

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Origin of menstruum

First recorded in 1350–1400; special use of Middle English menstruum “monthly period,” from Medieval Latin, from Latin (usually in plural mēnstrua); see menstrual,moon

Words nearby menstruum

menstrual period, menstruant, menstruate, menstruation, menstruous, menstruum, mensurable, mensural, mensural music, mensural notation, mensuration
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for menstruum

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

Medical 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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.