From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe dregs of aqua fortis under a seed name.
- In the bookThis is one of several entries in which an evocative name has a direct material equivalent.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 43; facsimile PDF page 371.
Historical definition
Sperma aquæ fortis is its dregs.
Meaning
The possessive its points back to aqua fortis. The word sperma belongs to the compound headword, but the gloss identifies the matter as dregs. The local definition should guide the reading before a broader theory of seed is imported.
Use in the book
This is one of several entries in which an evocative name has a direct material equivalent. The complete expression remains searchable so that its qualification is not lost.
Places to read
- Sperma aquæ fortisRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 43; facsimile PDF page 371 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Sperma aquæ fortis; 1650 facsimile PDF p. 371