Sperma aquæ fortis

Salts solvents and liquid preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. The dregs of aqua fortis under a seed name.

In the book. This is one of several entries in which an evocative name has a direct material equivalent.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 43; facsimile PDF page 371.

Historical Definition

Sperma aquæ fortis is its dregs.

Meaning

The possessive its points back to aqua fortis. The word sperma belongs to the compound headword, but the gloss identifies the matter as dregs. The local definition should guide the reading before a broader theory of seed is imported.

Use in the Book

This is one of several entries in which an evocative name has a direct material equivalent. The complete expression remains searchable so that its qualification is not lost.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 43; facsimile PDF page 371 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Sperma aquæ fortis; 1650 facsimile PDF p. 371