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 mummy preparation qualified through balsamic character.
- In the bookMumia is defined broadly as human flesh seasoned with balsam or other flesh so prepared.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 25; facsimile PDF page 353.
Historical definition
Helismidan is a balsamic mummy.
Meaning
The adjective and noun belong together. The entry gives a balsamic mummy without naming the material’s origin or explaining a preparation. The unfamiliar phrase should not be reduced automatically to an embalmed human body.
Use in the book
Mumia is defined broadly as human flesh seasoned with balsam or other flesh so prepared. Mumia Elementorum extends the vocabulary to a balsam of external elements. Those entries show why the material intended under a mummy term requires context. Helismidan itself supplies only the balsamic qualification.
Places to read
- HelismidanRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- BalsamumA preservative substance described in both bodily and external forms.
- MumiaBalmed flesh, expressly extending beyond human flesh.
- Mumia ElementorumMumia-language applied to a balm of external elements.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 25; facsimile PDF page 353 — Facsimile