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 lunar compound assigned to quicksilver.
- In the bookMater metallorum, Metallum currens, Missadam and Myssadar likewise point to quicksilver or mercury.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358.
Historical definition
Luna compacta is quicksilver.
Meaning
The complete expression has an equivalent different from Luna alone. Compacta is therefore a meaningful qualification, not a decorative addition which can be ignored after identifying a planetary name.
Use in the book
Mater metallorum, Metallum currens, Missadam and Myssadar likewise point to quicksilver or mercury. The dictionary offers several naming routes to the material, while preserving a separate plain Luna entry for silver.
Places to read
- Luna compactaRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- LunaThe lunar name denotes silver.
- Mater metallorumQuicksilver named as the mother of metals.
- Metallum currensQuicksilver under the name running metal.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 358, Luna compacta