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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 DictionaryLeffa

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English Edition · Branch 693 of 740

Leffa

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 693

Leffa

Qualities powers and relations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A term for the predestination assigned to herbs.

In the book. Leffas is a closely neighbouring form, but receives a different definition: a hidden earthly vapour through which plants grow.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 29; facsimile PDF page 357.

Historical Definition

Leffa is called the predestination of herbs.

Meaning

The unusual word predestination is the compiler’s own explanation, and must not be flattened into a simple name for a plant. It directs attention to the determination or destined course of an herb. The entry does not describe a visible part, a seed or a preparation.

Use in the Book

Leffas is a closely neighbouring form, but receives a different definition: a hidden earthly vapour through which plants grow. The similarity of the spellings offers a useful comparison without making the two statements identical.

Places to Read

Leffas. An unseen earthly vapour credited with the growth of plants.

In This Edition

The historical explanatory word is retained because the source supplies no fuller account of its force here.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 29; facsimile PDF page 357 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 357, Leffa

See also. Leffas

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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.