How Do You Spell ALEMBIC?

Pronunciation: [ɐlˈɛmbɪk] (IPA)

The word "alembic" is spelled with six letters and pronounced /ˈæləmbɪk/. It comes from the Arabic word "al-anbīq", which means "the still", and it refers to a type of distillation apparatus used in chemistry. The word was introduced into English during the medieval period, and its spelling has remained relatively consistent over time. Its unique spelling can be attributed to its Arabic origins and the adaptations made during its adoption into the English language.

ALEMBIC Meaning and Definition

1. The term "alembic" refers to a specialized apparatus used in chemistry and distillation processes. It consists of a pot or vessel with a long, curved neck and a condenser on top. The pot is typically made of copper, and the neck is bent in a specific shape to allow the vapors produced during the distillation to rise and then condense, collecting the liquid in the condenser.

   Alembics are primarily used for separating and purifying liquids through distillation, a process that involves heating a mixture to produce vapor, and then cooling it to obtain a purified liquid. The design of the alembic allows for the separation of different components based on their boiling points. As the mixture is heated, the volatile components will vaporize first, rising up the neck of the alembic, and then condensing and collecting in the condenser as a purified liquid.

   Historically, alembics have been used in alchemy, medicine, and perfumery to extract and isolate essential oils and other active substances from various plant materials. The highly efficient design of the alembic enables the collection of concentrated and pure extracts, making it a vital tool in these practices.

   In a figurative sense, the term "alembic" can also refer to any kind of vessel or system used for refining and purifying substances or ideas. It symbolizes the process of transformation, purification, and extraction, as it allows for the separation of impurities and the extraction of valuable elements.

2. A gourd-like vessel with a lid, for chemical purposes.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ALEMBIC

• zlembic
• slembic
• wlembic
• qlembic
• akembic
• apembic
• almbic
• alelic
• rembic
• Plombic
• Galimbic
• Alerbia
• alkemic
• alembox
• Ameabic
• Aleksic

Etymology of ALEMBIC

The word "alembic" traces its origins to the Arabic term "al-anbiq", which means "still". This term was derived from the Greek word "ambix", meaning "cup" or "beaker", and the Arabic article "al-" denoting "the". The word "alembic" first entered the English language around the 14th century, originally referring to a type of distillation apparatus or vessel used in chemistry and alchemy. Over time, its meaning expanded to include a broader range of distillation apparatuses and came to symbolize the process of purification or transformation.

Similar spelling word for ALEMBIC

• alhambra.

Plural form of ALEMBIC is ALEMBICS