spirit of hartshorn

American  

Or spirits of hartshorn

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, pungent, suffocating, aqueous solution of about 28.5 percent ammonia gas: used chiefly as a detergent, for removing stains and extracting certain vegetable coloring agents, and in the manufacture of ammonium salts.

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Etymology

Origin of spirit of hartshorn

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

He took, without considerable relief, gum kino, sanguis diaconis melted with alum, tincture of cantharides, isinglass, gum arabic, crabs eyes, spirit of hartshorn, and eat ten or fifteen oysters thrice a day.

From Zoonomia, Vol. I Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

We have grappled with "spirit," and fixed its meaning in a chemical sense; we have no longer "spirit" of salt, or "spirit" of hartshorn.

From The Art of Perfumery And Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants by Piesse, George William Septimus

Spirit of hartshorn is counterfeited by mixing liquid caustic ammonia with the distilled spirit of hartshorn, to increase the pungency of its odour, and to enable it to bear an addition of water.

From A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons Exhibiting the Fraudulent Sophistications of Bread, Beer, Wine, Spiritous Liquors, Tea, Coffee, Cream, Confectionery, Vinegar, Mustard, Pepper, Cheese, Olive Oil, Pickles, and Other Articles Employed in Domestic Economy by Accum, Friedrich Christian

The "drops" were a preparation of spirit of hartshorn, with other things; they were used in fainting, apoplexies, &c.

From The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899 by Aitken, George A.

For this purpose it should be continued till past the time of the expected cold fit, supported by moderate doses of wine-whey, with spirit of hartshorn, and moderate degrees of warmth.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus