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Flos cheiri
Metals minerals and metallic preparations · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. A name for an essence associated with gold.
In the book. Cheiri has several senses and specifically connects flos Cheiri with a white elixir, contrasting Flos Anthos with a red elixir.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 22; facsimile PDF page 350.
Historical Definition
Flos cheiri is the essence of gold.
Meaning
The definition identifies an essence through its material subject, gold. It gives no process for obtaining it and does not equate that essence with gold in every condition. The distinction between a subject and what is called its essence is the useful feature of the gloss.
Use in the Book
Cheiri has several senses and specifically connects flos Cheiri with a white elixir, contrasting Flos Anthos with a red elixir. Elixir itself can mean the essence of a thing. These links explain why a flower name can enter philosophical preparation language without identifying an ordinary botanical flower.
Places to Read
Cheiri. A term whose sense depends on both subject matter and qualification.
Elixir. A transformative ferment, or a thing’s essence.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 22; facsimile PDF page 350 — Facsimile