alembic

noun

alem·bic ə-ˈlem-bik

: an apparatus used in distillation

: something that refines or transmutes as if by distillation

philosophy … filtered through the alembic of Plato's mind—B. T. Shropshire

Did you know?

The alembic is a kind of still that has been used since ancient times and continues to be used even today in the production of cognac, a distinctive brandy distilled from white wine in western France. In ancient times, this apparatus was called "al-anbīq," a word that means "the still" in Arabic and can be traced to ambix, meaning "still in Greek." When the apparatus found its way into Medieval European laboratories, scientific texts first transformed the Arabic word into Medieval Latin as alembicum. English speakers shortened it to "alembic," and some also dropped the initial "a." That change led to "limbeck," a standard variant still in use today. "Alembic" acquired its figurative use in the 17th century.

Examples of alembic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The pot still, called an alembic, is derived from the alquitara stills introduced by the Moors in the 8th century. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The small-batch gin is distilled in a 19th-century copper alembic still and infused with botanicals and peppercorns sourced from small producers using traditional harvesting methods. —Lane Nieset, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alambic & Medieval Latin alembicum, from Arabic al-anbīq, from al the + anbīq still, from Late Greek ambik-, ambix alembic, from Greek, cap of a still

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of alembic was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century