alembic

noun

alem·bic | \ ə-ˈlem-bik

Definition of alembic

1 : an apparatus used in distillation

2 : something that refines or transmutes as if by distillation philosophy … filtered through the alembic of Plato's mind— B. T. Shropshire

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Did You Know?

The alembic is a kind of still that has been used since ancient times and continues to be used even today in the production of cognac, a distinctive brandy distilled from white wine in western France. In ancient times, this apparatus was called "al-anbīq," a word that means "the still" in Arabic and can be traced to ambix, meaning "still in Greek." When the apparatus found its way into Medieval European laboratories, scientific texts first transformed the Arabic word into Medieval Latin as alembicum. English speakers shortened it to "alembic," and some also dropped the initial "a." That change led to "limbeck," a standard variant still in use today. "Alembic" acquired its figurative use in the 17th century.

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Recent Examples on the Web

The copper pot still, or alembic, sits behind the spacious bar like a shiny visitor from outer space. — Florence Fabricant, New York Times, "Distillery Brings Spirits Back to Manhattan," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alembic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.