sal volatile

American  

[sal voh-lat-l-ee] / ˈsæl voʊˈlæt lˌi /

noun

1. an aromatic alcoholic solution of ammonium carbonate, the chief ingredient in smelling salts.

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sal volatile British  

/ vɒˈlætɪlɪ /

noun

1. another name for ammonium carbonate

2. Also called: spirits of ammonia.   hartshorn.  a solution of ammonium carbonate in alcohol and aqueous ammonia, often containing aromatic oils, used as smelling salts

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Etymology

Origin of sal volatile

1645–55; < New Latin: volatile salt

Example Sentences

I have not read them, I am too weak, I suffered Fits of Shaking & he & the Smith Father delivered me back to my Chamber & there administered sal volatile.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

After she had had some sal volatile and sat still for a few minutes, she said the re was nothing he matter with her except a few bruises.

From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis

Miss Christian is only nervous, poor old thing! and Thomas Sedley has been getting sal volatile for her, and she'll be quite well in a day or two.

From The Tenants of Malory Volume 2 of 3 by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

Then, all was a blank until she awoke upon her lounge, hair and face dripping with wet; the scent of sal volatile tingling in her nostrils, and a cluster of anxious faces about her.

From Jessamine A Novel by Harland, Marion

It's nobody I've met at old Stars and Garters', though his lady-wife could no more do without me than without her sal volatile and flirtations.

From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida