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 term for the predestination assigned to herbs.
- In the bookLeffas is a closely neighbouring form, but receives a different definition: a hidden earthly vapour through which plants grow.
- A place to readThe 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
In this edition
The historical explanatory word is retained because the source supplies no fuller account of its force here.
Source note
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