mother liquor

noun

1. the portion of a solution remaining after crystallization of its important component.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mother liquor¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Wash them several times with ether, but not sufficient to remove the mother liquor entirely.

From Project Gutenberg

They seek to find, as it were, the mother-liquor of the great ocean, so as to express the truth in a crystal.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the presence of a nitrate in the mother liquor tends to produce points or thorns.

From Project Gutenberg

This may be done by carefully pouring above the mother liquor a layer of water, or a less concentrated solution.

From Project Gutenberg

It increases in bulk, pushing aside the mother liquor, and thus doing external work.

From Project Gutenberg