alembic

a·lem·bic

A0189400 (ə-lĕm′bĭk)n.1. An apparatus consisting of two vessels connected by a tube, formerly used for distilling liquids.2. A device that purifies or alters by a process comparable to distillation.

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[Middle English alambic, from Old French, from Medieval Latin alembicus, from Arabic al-'anbīq : al-, the + 'anbīq, still (from Greek ambix, cup).]

alembic

(əˈlɛmbɪk) n1. (Chemistry) an obsolete type of retort used for distillation2. anything that distils or purifies[C14: from Medieval Latin alembicum, from Arabic al-anbīq the still, from Greek ambix cup]

a•lem•bic

(əˈlɛm bɪk)

n. 1. a vessel with a beaked cap or head, formerly used in distilling. 2. anything that transforms, purifies, or refines. [1350–1400; Middle English, variant of alambic < Medieval Latin alambicus < dial. Arabic al the + anbīq still < Greek ámbix cup]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

alembic - an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tuberetort - a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat