From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordMercury coagulated by Nature is defined broadly as a solid metal.
- In the bookMetallum currens, by contrast, is quicksilver, while Mater metallorum names it as the mother of metals.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361.
Historical definition
Mercurius à naturâ coagulatus is a solid metal.
Meaning
The full expression crosses an expectation a reader may bring from ordinary quicksilver. Its equivalent is a solid metal, not merely mercury observed as a familiar running liquid. The qualification by Nature’s coagulation is central to the material state being named.
Use in the book
Metallum currens, by contrast, is quicksilver, while Mater metallorum names it as the mother of metals. These entries show mercury-language moving between a familiar material-name and an account of metallic constitution or development.
Places to read
- Mercurius à naturâ coagulatusRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- Metallum currensQuicksilver under the name running metal.
- Mater metallorumQuicksilver named as the mother of metals.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 361, Mercurius à naturâ coagulatus