A Chymical Dictionary

Altey plumbi

Metals minerals and metallic preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A lead preparation characterized as sweet.

In the book. Anima Saturni, Butyrum Saturni and Dulcedo Saturni form a connected vocabulary.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 3; facsimile PDF page 331.

Historical Definition

Altey plumbi is the sweet matter of lead.

Meaning

The entry identifies the material through both its source, lead, and an attributed quality, sweetness. It does not supply a preparation that would establish a single modern compound. That distinction matters because the dictionary can use “sweetness” and “soul” as related descriptions of prepared materials. A reader should therefore attend to how the passage says the lead has been treated, rather than treating sweetness alone as a complete identification.

Use in the Book

Anima Saturni, Butyrum Saturni and Dulcedo Saturni form a connected vocabulary. Their different names can illuminate one another without proving that every author intends the same preparation. In particular, the name Anima introduces a philosophical description alongside the sensory one.

Places to Read

Anima Saturni. The “soul of Saturn” identified with lead’s sweetness.

Butyrum Saturni. A “butter of Saturn” name referring back to the sweet matter of lead.

Dulcedo Saturni. A Saturnian sweetness linked with Altey and ceruse.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 3; facsimile PDF page 331 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Altey plumbi ; compare Anima Saturni, Butyrum Saturni, Dulcedo Saturni, Calcinatum majus

See also. Anima Saturni; Butyrum Saturni; Dulcedo Saturni; Calcinatum majus