Words Retained in the Modernisation

These short editorial glosses explain words used in the modernised definitions and commentary. They are reading aids supplied by this edition, rather than additional entries attributed to the historical compiler.

Aposteme. A historical word for a swelling or abscess. Individual definitions may identify one through its bodily site, hardness, dryness or another described feature. See Rana and Sephirus.

Art. Skilled practice or knowledge of how to do something. An art may concern materials, instruments, healing or interpretation. Its intended subject and end are specified by the particular definition. See Spagirus and Thamatica.

Calx. Read the complete material name and the given preparation. The dictionary includes several different calx expressions; it does not identify all of them with one modern substance. Compare Calx lignorum, Calx Mercurii and Calx Solis.

Complexion. The constitution or qualitative character of a thing or part. Heat, cold and related qualities supply its terms in these definitions. See Complexio and Qualitas.

Crocus. A preparation-name in several metal expressions. Its source and operation should be read from the complete phrase. Compare Calx Martis, Minium and the textual problem under Orizeum præcipitatum.

Digestion. In the chemical definition, an operation compared with digestion in the human stomach, through which matter is decocted toward separation of pure from impure. See Digestio.

Fixed and volatile. Fixation makes what flies in fire endure the fire; volatile matter is generally described as light matter carried upward. These definitions give the historical relations to heat and movement. See Fixatio and Volatile.

Liquor. A liquid expression whose particular sense can depend on the attached material name. The dictionary says it is often used for an oil when so qualified. See Liquor and the following compound names.

Mine. Attend to whether a passage concerns a place or a mineral material. In definitions of an unripe metallic matter or mercury separated from its mine, ore may convey the material relation. See Kachimia and Mercurius Crudus.

Physic. The historical art or practice of medicine in the relevant definitions. The word should not be confused with the name of the modern discipline physics. See the account of natural magic under Magia.

Spirit. The subject and its predicates establish the sense. A spiritual matter can be extracted corporeally; a spirit can be called corporeal; a power of the soul can be described through likeness to the heavens. See Quintessentia, Terrelati and Spiritus Animalis.

Tincture. In the dictionary’s general definition, that which tinges a body with its color. An article may distinguish the extracting agent, the extracted tincture and its receiving body. See Tinctura and Rubella.

Virtue. Power or efficacy within the historical account. A virtue can be described through its origin, its action, its hidden character or its appointed purpose. See Relloleum, Spara and Truphat.