From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThings classified by their burning action in aid of calcination.
- In the bookNitrum is given the particular equivalent saltpetre.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 35; facsimile PDF page 363.
Historical definition
Nitriales are all burning things that assist calcination.
Meaning
The operative use defines the class. The entry does not identify a single material called nitriales; it gathers burning things insofar as they contribute to calcination. The connection is therefore between an agent and an operation.
Use in the book
Nitrum is given the particular equivalent saltpetre. Despite the similar word-form, the Nitriales definition is broader and functional. Reading the full gloss prevents a plural class from being silently replaced by one named salt.
Places to read
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 35; facsimile PDF page 363 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 363, Nitriales