- Menstrua
- Menstruum Men"stru*um, n.; pl. E. {Menstruums}, L. {Menstrua}.
[L. menstruus. See {Menstruous}.]
Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent.
[1913 Webster]
The proper menstruum to dissolve metal. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction. --Quincy. [1913 Webster]
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. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.