alembic

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a·lem·bic

 (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.

[Middle English alambic, from Old French, from Medieval Latin alembicus, from Arabic al-'anbīq : al-, the + 'anbīq, still (from Greek ambix, cup).]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

alembic

(əˈlɛmbɪk)
n
1. (Chemistry) an obsolete type of retort used for distillation
2. anything that distils or purifies
[C14: from Medieval Latin alembicum, from Arabic al-anbīq the still, from Greek ambix cup]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

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]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.alembic - an obsolete kind of container used for distillationalembic - an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tube
retort - a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
Have you really measured the world by scrutinies, or through alembics and crucibles?
The meat of them has been transmuted in the alembic of Martin Eden's mind and poured into 'The Shame of the Sun,' and one day Martin Eden will be famous, and not the least of his fame will rest upon that work.
Facts transmuted in the alembic of hope into terms of faith.
One by one his worlds evaporated, rose beyond his vision as vapours in the hot alembic of the sun, sank for ever beneath sea-levels, themselves unreal and passing as the phantoms of a dream.
You shall come when you will," he continued, turning to Tourangeau, "I will show you the little parcels of gold which remained at the bottom of Nicholas Flamel's alembic, and you shall compare them with the gold of Guillaume de Paris.
The venerable Isaac is subjected to an alembic, which will distil from him all he holds dear, without any assistance from my requests or thy entreaty.