From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordA “butter of Saturn” name referring back to the sweet matter of lead.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 11; facsimile PDF page 339.
Historical definition
Butyrum Saturni is what is called Altey above: the sweetness of lead.
Meaning
The dictionary itself supplies the cross-reference. Its purpose is to connect an unfamiliar figurative name with the material description already given under Altey plumbi. The butter expression should therefore be interpreted through that stated connection before importing an ordinary dairy meaning.
Anima Saturni supplies another name in the same sweet-lead family. The group shows how one preparation can be approached through a texture-like image, a philosophical name or a quality. The brief equations do not, however, establish a single complete recipe or a unique modern compound for every historical use.
Places to read
- Butyrum SaturniRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- Altey plumbiA lead preparation characterized as sweet.
- Anima SaturniThe “soul of Saturn” identified with lead’s sweetness.
- Dulcedo SaturniA Saturnian sweetness linked with Altey and ceruse.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 11; facsimile PDF page 339 — Facsimile