alembic
/ə-ˈlem-bik/ (ame, mw)
alembic — noun
1. a vessel used to heat liquid and collect the part that rises off it during disti
a vessel used to heat liquid and collect the part that rises off it during distillation
The chemist heated herbs in a copper alembic to make perfume oils.
copper alembic in practical use
A glass alembic stood beside the fire in Karim's small workshop.
glass alembic in a workshop setting
The museum guide explained how the alembic separated alcohol from water.
Christopher bought a handmade alembic for his home distilling class.
- still
broader and more modern; can refer to the whole distilling setup
- retort
narrower; often names one bent vessel in older chemical equipment
- distilling vessel
plain descriptive phrase rather than a fixed technical term
文法句型
a copper alembic
use an alembic for distillation
用法筆記
Usually refers to a specialised vessel in chemistry, perfume making, or historical craft work. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense can refer to the device more generally, not only to an old museum piece.
2. something that works like distilling, turning rough ideas or feelings into somet
something that works like distilling, turning rough ideas or feelings into something clearer and more valuable
Years of travel became an alembic for Antonia's scattered ideas about home.
an alembic for + ideas
The quiet studio served as an alembic where grief turned into music.
serve as an alembic for inner change
For Mauricio, long walks were an alembic that refined anger into patience.
Adina's diary was an alembic for fear, doubt, and stubborn hope.
- crucible
stronger image of pressure or testing rather than careful refinement
- refining influence
plainer phrase that stresses improvement rather than literary style
- medium
broader and less vivid; it does not itself suggest transformation
文法句型
an alembic for [ideas/feelings]
serve as an alembic for [something]
用法筆記
Literary and figurative. The noun usually names a person, place, or experience that seems to purify emotion or thought rather than a physical device.
3. an old kind of distilling vessel with connected parts, especially one seen in hi
an old kind of distilling vessel with connected parts, especially one seen in historical chemistry or perfume making
The history book showed an alembic with a long tube between two flasks.
historic vessel with connected parts
Workers once used a clay alembic to produce rose water in the market.
old production use in everyday trade
At the archaeology lab, Yumi rebuilt a broken alembic from bronze pieces.
The label identified the object as an alembic from the twelfth century.
文法句型
an alembic from [period]
an alembic with [connected parts]
用法筆記
Usually appears in historical description, museum labels, or writing about early chemistry. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense foregrounds the older form of the equipment.