Definitions for alkahest
ˈæl kəˌhɛstalka·h·est

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alkahest, alcahest, universal solventnoun

   hypothetical universal solvent once sought by alchemists

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alkahestnoun

   the universal solvent sought by the alchemists

2. Etymology: Probably coined by Paracelsus, as pseudo-Arabic.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Alkahestnoun

   A word used first by Paracelsus, and adopted by his followers, to signify an universal dissolvent, or liquour, which has the power of resolving all things into their first principles.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Alkahest

   In Renaissance alchemy, alkahest was the theorized "universal solvent". It was supposed to be capable of dissolving any other substance, including gold, without altering or destroying its fundamental components.Among its philosophical and spiritual preoccupations, Hermeticism was more anciently concerned with the panacea, but (in the context of reformed understandings of human physiology) the emergent Latin alchemy associated with European humanism was itself transmuted into a new medical and pharmaceutical philosophy. The Swiss physician and alchemist Philippus Paracelsus (1493-1541), who gave his name to the early modern school of medical theory known as Paracelcism, first made mention of the alkahest as a chemical which could fortify the liver, and (in instances where the liver failed) could act as a substitute for its functions (see De Viribus Membrorum Spiritualium, Cap. VI, "De Cura Epatis", at p. 10). By reducing or dissolving substances into their fundamental virtues and properties, it was hoped to gain control of those invaluable medical healing properties (see also azoth), and for this reason the alkahest (also known as the ignis gehennae) was earnestly sought for, and the reality (or otherwise) of its existence was debated among the alchemists and philosophers.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alkahest

   Alkahest is a term that originates from Paracelsian alchemy, referring to a hypothetical universal solvent, capable of dissolving any other substance, including gold. It was supposed to be a liquid derived from the purest form of matter and could convert any material into its basic essence.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Alkahestnoun

   the fabled "universal solvent" of the alchemists; a menstruum capable of dissolving all bodies

2. Etymology: [LL. alchahest, F. alcahest, a word that has an Arabic appearance, but was probably arbitrarily formed by Paracelsus.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Alkahest

   Alkahest is a hypothetical universal solvent, having the power to dissolve every other substance, including gold. It was much sought after by alchemists for what they thought would be its invaluable medicinal qualities. The name is believed to have been invented by Paracelsus from Switzerland, who modelled it on similar words taken from Arabic, such as ‘alkali’. Paracelsus' own recipe was based on caustic lime, alcohol, and carbonate of potash. He believed that this element alkahest was, in fact, the philosopher's stone. A potential problem involving alkahest is that, if it dissolves everything, then it cannot be placed into a container, because it would dissolve the container. However, the alchemist Philalethes specifies that Alkahest dissolves only composed material into their constituent, elemental, parts. In modern times, water is sometimes called the universal solvent as well, because it can dissolve a large variety of substances, due to its chemical polarity.

How to pronounce alkahest?

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How to say alkahest in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of alkahest in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of alkahest in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=alkahest
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Alkahest
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=alkahest
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkahest
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkahest
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=alkahest