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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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English Edition · Branch 338 of 740

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 338

Elevation

Operations instruments and practitioners · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. An operation defined as subtilising a subject.

In the book. Exaltatio is likewise defined through subtilising.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 20; facsimile PDF page 348.

Historical Definition

Elevation is making a thing subtle.

Meaning

The definition concerns a change in the condition of a thing. “Subtle” is retained because the entry does not reduce that condition to one measurable feature. It gives no subject, instrument or prescribed sequence.

Use in the Book

Exaltatio is likewise defined through subtilising. Sublimatio, however, gives the more specific description of dry matter forced upward by heat. Their proximity in vocabulary does not make every elevation a sublimation. Read the particular action described by the surrounding author before choosing a narrower operational meaning.

Places to Read

Exaltatio. An operation defined through subtilisation.

Sublimatio. An operation defined by the upward movement of heated dry matter.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 20; facsimile PDF page 348 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary 1650, s.v. Elevation

See also. Exaltatio; Sublimatio

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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.