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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 DictionaryMater metallorum

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English Edition · Branch 140 of 740

Mater metallorum

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 140

Mater metallorum

Metals minerals and metallic preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. Quicksilver named as the mother of metals.

In the book. Metallum currens supplies another descriptive name, and Luna compacta another qualified one.

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

Historical Definition

Mater metallorum is quicksilver.

Meaning

The maternal phrase presents quicksilver through its relation to metals. The dictionary’s immediate equivalent is nevertheless simply quicksilver; it does not explain a sequence of generation or give a test of metallic parentage in this entry.

Use in the Book

Metallum currens supplies another descriptive name, and Luna compacta another qualified one. Together these entries allow a reader to recognise the named material while returning to the surrounding argument for the significance of mother, running or lunar language.

Places to Read

Metallum currens. Quicksilver under the name running metal.

Luna compacta. A lunar compound assigned to quicksilver.

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

Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 360, Mater metallorum

See also. Metallum currens; Luna compacta

140

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.