alembic Hear it!

alembic definition

alem·bic (ə lem′bik)

noun

  1. an apparatus of glass or metal, like a retort, formerly used for distilling
  2. anything that refines or purifies

Etymology: ME & OFr alambic < ML alambicus < Ar al-anbīq < al, the + anbīq, distilling flask < Gr ambix, a cup

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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