alembic

noun alem·bic \ ə-ˈlem-bik \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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

alembic was our Word of the Day on 07/10/2008. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of alembic from 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.

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.

Illustration of alembic

Origin and Etymology of alembic

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alambic & Medieval Latin alembicum, from Arabic al-anbīq, from al the + anbīq still, from Late Greek ambik-, ambix alembic, from Greek, cap of a still

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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