Men·stru·um n.; pl. E. Menstruums L. Menstrua 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.
Note: ☞ 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.
◄ ►