Middle English Dictionary Entry
alkalī, alkalīn n. & adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | alkalī, alkalīn n. & adj. respectively. Also alkely & arkelin, arclin, alkyn. |
| Etymology | ML, from Ar. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An alkaline substance obtained from the calcined ashes of plants: soda (from sea plants), potash (from land plants); sal alkali(n.
Associated quotations
- c1330 SMChron.(Auch)553 : Seuen maner saltes þer ben in..Salarbrut, salarkelin [vrr. arclin, arclyn, alkelim, alkyn; rime: him].
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.810 : Sal tartre, alkaly, and sal preparat.
- ?a1400 in Singer Cat.Alchem.2.409 : Enbibe thi calx of metalles..with the water of alkali.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)165a/a : Þat it be colded..in medlyng somwhat of..sal alkaly, as commaunded Haly Abbas.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)117b/a : Avicen..wille þat it be frotede at the sonne wiþ alkely.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)64a : Salte Armoniacke and sal de ver, Sal alkaly, sal alembroth.