A Chymical Dictionary

Acetum radicale

Salts solvents and liquid preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A dissolving water described through the root and matrix of vinegar.

In the book. The dictionary also gives the direct identification of Aqua solvens as distilled vinegar.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 1; facsimile PDF page 329.

Historical Definition

Acetum radicale is vinegar distilled from its own root and matrix, and is called the Dissolving Water.

Meaning

“Root” and “matrix” make origin central to this definition: the water is named through the substance or generating source from which it is distilled. Neither expression supplies a measurable recipe. Preserve that distinction when reading a passage that promises a radical solvent. The word may mark a claimed relationship to a substance’s origin rather than simply an unusually strong commercial vinegar.

Use in the Book

The dictionary also gives the direct identification of Aqua solvens as distilled vinegar. Reading the two together shows that the vocabulary can describe both a named liquid and an account of its source. Acetum Philosophorum introduces a further, mercurial association. The shared language of dissolving does not establish chemical identity among them.

Places to Read

Acetum Philosophorum. A philosophical solvent described as a mercurial water and Virgin’s Milk.

Aqua solvens. A direct identification of a dissolving water as distilled vinegar.

Matrices rerum. The elements considered as matrices of things.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 1; facsimile PDF page 329 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Acetum radicale ; compare Acetum Philosophorum, Aqua solvens, Matrices rerum

See also. Acetum Philosophorum; Aqua solvens; Matrices rerum