menstruum

American  

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

noun

plural

menstruums, menstrua

1. a solvent.

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menstruum British  

/ ˈmɛnstrʊəm /

noun

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

2. a solid formulation of a drug

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Etymology

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 ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Nothing but the sharpest essence of villainy compounded with the strongest distillation of folly, could have produced a menstruum that would have effected a separation."

From Junius Unmasked or, Thomas Paine the author of the Letters of Junius and the Declaration of Independence by Moody, Joel

Subsequently the ordinary tinctures were distilled, and the extracts thus obtained dissolved in the above menstruum, as far as was possible, in most cases the residuum being found to be inert.

From Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why What Medical Writers Say by Allen, Martha Meir

In the latter case a menstruum with considerable body, such as molasses or flaxseed tea or milk, will help to hold solids or oils in suspension until swallowed.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

Gum resins and essential oils were found to be insoluble in this menstruum, and hence such drugs have been given in the form of pill, powder or mixture.

From Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why What Medical Writers Say by Allen, Martha Meir

Ex�tract, a term to denote all that can be dissolved out of a substance by a specified menstruum, such as water, alcohol, ether, &c.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various