Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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.


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of sal volatile

1645–55; < New Latin: volatile salt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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

Thomas Sedley, I want you to tell Lyster, the apothecary, to send a small bottle of sal volatile to Miss Christian immediately.

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

The house was turned upside down; to my mental vision arose sal volatile and burnt feathers, swoons and hysterics.

From Romantic Spain A Record of Personal Experiences (Vol. II) by O'Shea, John Augustus

Why is a man marrying a second time like sal volatile?

From The Handbook of Conundrums by Ordway, Edith B.