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Mercurius mineralium
Metals minerals and metallic preparations · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. An extracted oiliness associated with the mines of two metals.
In the book. Liquor illustrates how oil-language can enter material compounds, while Mercurius metallorum præcipitatus describes a different extracted subject through precipitation.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361.
Historical Definition
Mercurius mineralium is an oiliness extracted from the mines of gold and silver.
Meaning
Oiliness describes the thing extracted; the mines of gold and silver specify its setting or source. The definition does not simply equate the phrase with liquid quicksilver, nor state that gold and silver themselves have become a visible ordinary oil.
Use in the Book
Liquor illustrates how oil-language can enter material compounds, while Mercurius metallorum præcipitatus describes a different extracted subject through precipitation. The particular descriptors are necessary to keep these preparations apart.
Places to Read
Liquor. A naming rule by which a qualified liquor can mean an oil.
Mercurius metallorum præcipitatus. A preparation specified by metallic extraction followed by precipitation.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 361, Mercurius mineralium
See also. Liquor; Mercurius metallorum præcipitatus