DiotimosReading Desk

Operations of separation

Rectification

Rectification, “rectification”; rectificiren, “rectify”; rectificatissimum, “most highly rectified”

Further refining, subdividing, or preparing a portion already obtained in separation.

From the book

The Golden Chain of Homer

Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger) · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordFurther refining, subdividing, or preparing a portion already obtained in separation.
  • In the Golden ChainRectification reveals finer grades while its usefulness depends on the intended reunion and end.
  • TranslationThe term often concerns repeated distillation but can include the preparation of oily or fixed portions.
  • A place to readB2C05S004–B2C05S007, where the first divisions of Chaos are subdivided and named.

Meaning

Rectification is a further ordering or refinement of a separated portion. It can make a volatile fraction subtler, reduce accompanying phlegm, or distinguish degrees within a material previously grouped under one elemental name. The operation thus continues anatomy at a finer scale. It should not be understood only as correcting an error or as guaranteeing a chemically pure substance.

The desired extent of refinement depends on purpose. The author sometimes treats rectification as a useful clarification and sometimes says that it makes a work subtler without making it faster or better. This qualification follows his larger argument that related portions can select and retain what they need in conjunction, even when earlier separation has not removed all watery accompaniment.

Use in the book

B2C05S004 first permits several descriptions of the separated Chaos and then says each main part can be divided further. B2C05S005–B2C05S007 gives heaven, air, water, and earth further grades of subtlety. Significantly, the earth group can include liquid acid and oil because of their readiness to become bodily or coagulated. Rectification therefore follows and sharpens the author’s relational classification rather than merely sorting an existing modern list of substances.

B2C07S002 calls rectification of the animal volatile optional, while B2C07S003 says it can make portions subtler without necessarily making the work quicker or better. The fixing essential part will reject accompanying phlegm later. B2C05S077 gives the same defence for omitting some preliminary dephlegmation and rectification in one route. These passages explain why a detailed scheme of refinement in the general example does not impose an identical preliminary stage upon every subsequent method. The author distinguishes demonstration from the shortest practical route.

B2C07S009–B2C07S011 presents a route especially concerned with purity, yet even thoroughly rectified portions yield further phlegm after coagulation. The source thereby limits any absolute claim that rectification has finally separated active substance from all vehicle. B2C10S021–B2C10S022 also distinguishes the intense apparent fieriness of a rectified spirit from its total dissolving capacity. A highly rectified name may signal one kind of strength while much watery accompaniment remains. The outcome must be interpreted through the subsequent behaviour, not only through its title.

Places to read

  1. Book II · Ch. 5 · §4The first fractions admit further subdivision.
  2. Book II · Ch. 5 · §5Heaven is distinguished into finer volatile grades.
  3. Book II · Ch. 5 · §7Rectified earth includes acid and oil.
  4. Book II · Ch. 7 · §3Further subtlety is not necessarily faster or better.
  5. Book II · Ch. 7 · §11More phlegm can emerge after thoroughly rectified parts reunite.

Translation in this edition

Rectification, rectificiren, and Latin expressions such as rectificatissimum are attested. The superlative means most highly rectified within the author’s usage, not necessarily absolute purity by present-day analytical standards. Similarly, “subtlest,” “subtler,” and “subtle” identify an ordered comparison; they are not numerical measures of molecular size.

Distillation is the principal means in several examples, but the title covers more than repeatedly collecting a volatile liquid. B2C05S007 treats the earth-related acid, oil, and charcoal through their relations to one another. The underlying aim is a better-prepared and better-distinguished portion for the work that follows.