Tap the page, move to the top or bottom edge, swipe down, or press Tab to reveal reading controls. Use the arrow keys or swipe sideways to turn pages.
Aerdadi
Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. Air-dwelling spirits described as corporeal.
In the book. Compare Anachmus, expressly called incorporeal, and the fire-associated Æthnici.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 2; facsimile PDF page 330.
Historical Definition
Aerdadi are corporeal spirits living in the air.
Meaning
The apparent tension between “spirits” and “corporeal” is part of the historical classification. The entry assigns these beings a dwelling place and a bodily character rather than treating every spirit as wholly without body. It is useful to retain both features. Replacing the expression simply with “air” would erase the beings described; replacing it with “incorporeal spirit” would reverse its stated qualification.
Use in the Book
Compare Anachmus, expressly called incorporeal, and the fire-associated Æthnici. The contrasting descriptions show that the dictionary differentiates spirits by embodiment, appearance and habitat.
Places to Read
Anachmus. A spirit expressly described as without body.
Æthnici. Fire-associated spirits described through visible forms and a mountain habitat.
Sylphes. A spirit name locally equated with pygmies.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 2; facsimile PDF page 330 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Aerdadi ; compare Anachmus, Æthnici, Sylphes