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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · English Edition

Gerhard Dorn and John French

A Chymical Dictionary

An Expanded Diotimos Lexicon of Paracelsian and Alchemical Language

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A Chymical DictionaryMateria saphirea

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English Edition · Branch 256 of 740

Materia saphirea

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 256

Materia saphirea

Salts solvents and liquid preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A uniform liquor defined by the absence of offending material.

In the book. Liquor Mercurii is described as the seat of healing power; Liquor salis as a preservative balm.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 32; facsimile PDF page 360.

Historical Definition

Materia saphirea is a homogeneous liquor in which there is no harmful matter.

Meaning

Homogeneity and freedom from harmful matter are the two stated qualities. The entry does not identify the liquid through an ingredient list, a gemstone, or a method of preparation. Its sapphire-like name should not displace the definition actually given.

Use in the Book

Liquor Mercurii is described as the seat of healing power; Liquor salis as a preservative balm. These different expressions show how a liquor can be classified through a property or function rather than through its physical source alone.

Places to Read

Liquor Mercurii. A mercurial liquor defined as the seat of healing power.

Liquor salis. A saline liquor understood through its preservative action.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 32; facsimile PDF page 360 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 360, Materia saphirea

See also. Liquor Mercurii; Liquor salis

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About This Reading Edition

The complete 706 historical definitions of the 1650 English dictionary, modernised and accompanied by expanded Diotimos commentary, reading routes, 15 textual notes and complete linked indexes.

Historical Text

A Chymicall Dictionary, London 1650, English version associated with John French, based on Gerhard Dorn’s Dictionarium Theophrasti Paracelsi. The containing volume also prints Sendivogius and Paracelsus; neither neighboring work changes this dictionary’s attribution.

About This Edition

Complete 706 definition paragraphs with new introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes; Diotimos Editions, 2026.

Rights

The historical 1650 English text is in the public domain. New introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and published with the site owner’s authorization.