sal volatile
Americannoun
noun
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another name for ammonium carbonate
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Also called: spirits of ammonia. hartshorn. a solution of ammonium carbonate in alcohol and aqueous ammonia, often containing aromatic oils, used as smelling salts
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
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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
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"Have you any sal volatile in the house?" he asked, after he had felt her pulse.
From The Curse of Carne's Hold A Tale of Adventure by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
Why is a man marrying a second time like sal volatile?
From The Handbook of Conundrums by Edith B. Ordway
I have given her a strong dose of sal volatile, and she begged me to explain things to you; so—I came.
From Captain Desmond, V.C. by Maud Diver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.