/ˈambᵻsiːz/, U.S. /ˈæmbəˌsiz/.ambixn.
/ˈambɪks/, U.S. /ˈæmbɪks//ˈambᵻsiːz/, U.S. /ˈæmbəˌsiz/. Chemistry. historical.
A ceramic or metal container used for simple distillation, in the top of which heated vapour is condensed for collection; (also) the receiver of an alembic.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > still > [noun] > vessel of
alembicc1405
retort1527
bagpipe1558
cornute1605
refrigeratory1605
campane1662
cornue1672
refrigerant1678
culb1683
vesica1683
blind-head1743
ambix1781
refrigerator1798
still-tub1826
wash-cistern1853
wash-warmer1900
1781 R. Watson Chem. Ess. I. ii. 66 The addition of a spout or beak to his ambix, would have furnished him with a complete instrument for distilling, as well as subliming.
1819 A. Rees Cycl. I. at Alembic It is probable, however, that the ambix was in the time of Pliny a mere plain still, without any beak or gutter.
1873 J. C. Hare Fragm. Two Ess. Eng. Philol. ii. 43 The vapour which adheres to the ambix, on being cooled is quicksilver.
1992 W. H. Brock Fontana Hist. Chem. i. 25 These alchemists made air cooling in the distillation process more efficient by..raising the ambix well above the bikos or curcurbit vessel embedded in the furnace or sand bath.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1781