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 preparation specified by metallic extraction followed by precipitation.
- In the bookMercurius mineralium instead identifies an oiliness from gold and silver mines.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361.
Historical definition
Mercurius metallorum præcipitatus is mercury extracted from metals and precipitated.
Meaning
The definition gives two qualifications in sequence. The mercury is drawn from metals, and it is precipitated. Neither a particular source metal nor the means of precipitation is stated, so the name cannot by itself supply the rest of a preparation.
Use in the book
Mercurius mineralium instead identifies an oiliness from gold and silver mines. The contrast between metals and mines, and between precipitated material and an oiliness, prevents the two compounds from becoming vague equivalents.
Places to read
- Mercurius metallorum præcipitatusRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- Mercurius mineraliumAn extracted oiliness associated with the mines of two metals.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361 — Facsimile