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 fox-tail expression identified with lead minium.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 14; facsimile PDF page 342.
Historical definition
Cauda vulpis rubicundi is minium of lead.
Meaning
The historical definition supplies a direct material anchor for the figurative name. It identifies the substance through minium and lead rather than leaving the image open to unrestricted symbolism. The entry does not explain why the tail expression was chosen or state a process.
Calx Saturni gives minium under another qualified name, while Azemasor records minium or cinnabar as alternatives. Linking these entries helps a reader compare names while preserving the different certainty and scope of each equation.
Places to read
- Cauda vulpis rubicundiRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- MiniumA precipitated lead preparation with an explicit correction of terminology.
- Calx SaturniA Saturn-qualified calx identified as minium.
- AzemasorA name assigned to two historical pigment or mineral terms.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 14; facsimile PDF page 342 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Cauda vulpis rubicundi ; compare Minium, Calx Saturni, Azemasor