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Webster 1913 Edition

Menstruum

Men′stru-um

,
Noun.
;
pl. E.
Menstruums
(#)
, L.
Menstrua
(#)
.
[L.
menstruus
. See
Menstruous
.]
Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent.
The proper
menstruum
to dissolve metal.
Bacon.
All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction.
Quincy.
☞ The use is supposed to have originated in some notion of the old chemists about the influence of the moon in the preparation of dissolvents.
Johnson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Menstruum

MEN'STRUUM

,
Noun.
plu.
menstruums. [from L. mensis, month. The use of this word is supposed to have originated in some notion of the old chimists, about the influence of the moon in the preparation of dissolvents. Johnson.]
A dissolvent or solvent; any fluid or subtilized substance which dissolves a solid body.
All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction.
Inquire what is the proper menstruum to dissolve a metal.

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