vitrioln.
/ˈvɪtrɪəl/, /ˈvɪtrɪɒl/, U.S. /ˈvɪtriəl/ 1. One or other of various native or artificial sulphates of metals (see 2, 3) used in the arts or medicinally, esp. sulphate of iron:
a. Used in singular without article.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > sulphates > [noun]
vitriolc1386
vitriol stone1669
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > used in arts or medicine
vitriolc1386
vitriola1425
German vitriol1576
c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 255 Vnslekked lym, chalk,..Poudres diuerse, asshes,..Cered pottes, sal peter, vitriole.
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 579 Draganti, vytryole, or coporose.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 40 Puluerez of alume, zucarine brent, of attrament, and of vitriol.
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy Adm. iv. in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 190 Also I wrought in Sulphur and in Vitriall, Whych folys doe call the Grene Lyon.
1527 L. Andrewe tr. H. Brunschwig Vertuose Boke Distyllacyon sig. Fjv Halfe an ounce of vytryol wherof the ynke is made.
1599 A. M. tr. O. Gaebelkhover Bk. Physicke 317/1 Bloodstenchinge. Take of the best Vitriolle, beate it smalle, and boulte it through a fine cloth.
1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 276 Copperas or Vitriole..is a minerall salt, which..doth farre excell many other kinds of salts.
1681 P. Bellon tr. F. de Monginot New Myst. Physick Introd. 38 Those Acides, and acrimonious Particles of the Salt and Vitriol which had caused its Sublimation.
1718 J. Quincy Pharmacopœia Officinalis 8 The last is what is forced from Vinegar, Vitriol, and such like acid Substances.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The Antients give the Name Chalcitis, or Chalcite, to native Vitriol;..which is a kind of mineral Stone, of a reddish Colour.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 446 Besides sulphur, vitriol is also made here, of a sapphire colour.
1854 E. Ronalds & T. Richardson Knapp's Chem. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 359 The chloride of calcium melting easily in the still, enables the whole of the acetic acid to be evolved at a lower temperature than when vitriol is employed.
1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times II. xviii. 26 The use of vitriol was recommended among other destructive agencies.
b. In plural (or with a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > used in arts or medicine
vitriolc1386
vitriola1425
German vitriol1576
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 79 Of atramentez, i. of vitriolez, bene many kyndez.
1605 T. Tymme tr. J. Du Chesne Pract. Chymicall & Hermeticall Physicke i. ix. 37 Some of these salts are bytter as wormewood, some sharpe as vitriolls.
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 6 They that drink of them purge forth black excrements by reason of the vitrials.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) According to Boerhaave, Vitriols consist of a metallic Part with a Sulphur adhering, a menstruous Acid, and Water.
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 395 Vitriols have been discovered buried in the ancient sandy bed of that sea.
1868 H. Watts Dict. Chem. V. 1004 The several vitriols being distinguished by their colours, or by the metals which they contain.
2. With distinguishing epithets:
a. With adjectives of colour. blue vitriol, green vitriol, red vitriol, white vitriol, sulphate of copper, iron, cobalt, and zinc respectively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > iron sulphate
green vitriolc1400
vitriol of Mars1678
colcothar of vitriol1753
vitriol of iron1753
iron alum1834
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of iron
green vitriolc1400
green copperasc1503
vitriol of Mars1678
vitriol of iron1753
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > cobalt sulphate
red vitriol1611
vitriol of cobalt1796
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of cobalt
red vitriol1611
vitriol of cobalt1796
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > other sulphates
aluma1398
aphronitrea1398
white vitriol1676
oxysulphate1802
hyposulphate1819
sulphur salt1836
potash alum1837
hepar1866
kainite1868
kalinite1868
nickel sulphate1868
trisulphate1880
trisulphonate1892
thalline sulphate1899
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of zinc
white copperas1464
white vitriol1676
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > copper sulphate
Roman vitriol?a1425
blue vitriol1560
blue copperas1646
bluestone1651
crystals, saffron, salt, vinegar, vitriol of Venus1693
vitriol of copper1694
blue vitriol1728
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of copper
Roman vitriol?a1425
blue copperas1617
bluestone1651
crystals, saffron, salt, vinegar, vitriol of Venus1693
vitriol of copper1694
blue vitriol1728
copper-vitriol1770
c1400 tr. Lanfranc's Cirurg. 14 Grene vitriol, & he be do to a man of a drie complexioun, engendrith fleisch.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 79 Þer is a spice of vitriol þat is called vitriolum romanum, i. coporose; And it is of ȝalow colour in reward of þe grenner vitriol. And þer is one of white colour bot noȝt schynyng.]
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Marcassin iaulne, Red vitrioll.
1676 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 11 617 A salt that had some resemblance to white Vitriol.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In Blue Vitriol, the Metal, wherewith the Acid, &c. is join'd, is Copper.
a1750 W. Gibson New Treat. Dis. Horses (1751) iii. iii. 193 In some cases it [sc. the horse's eye] may be touched with the blue Vitriol stone, or the Lunar caustic.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 66 Green Vitriol hath a saltish and astringent taste.
1819 W. T. Brande Man. Chem. 247 Copper and Sulphuric Acid—Oxysulphate of Copper—Blue Vitriol.
1837 J. D. Dana Syst. Mineral. 180 Cobalt Vitriol..Red Vitriol. Sulphate of Cobalt.
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products 402/2 White vitriol is a combination of sulphuric-acid and oxide of zinc.
1887 A. H. Buck Ref. Handbk. Med. Sci. IV. 224/2 Ferrous sulphate is the salt so well known as green vitriol, and also in the impure state as copperas.
b. With other adjectives, as English vitriol, German vitriol, Hungarian vitriol, Roman vitriol.
ΚΠ
1573 Treat. Arte of Limming 7 Then put in it two unces of greene Coporas, or els of Romayne Vitrial, which is beste.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Vitriol d'Allemagne, German Vitrioll.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Vitriol d'Hongrie, Hungarie Vitrioll.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 134 The English bring into France..Leade, Tynne, English Vitriall, or Shoemakers blacke.
1651 J. French Art Distillation iii. 66 Take of Hungarian, or the best English Vitriall.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Roman Vitriol is made by exposing these Pyrites to the Air, till such time as they calcine.
1736 Compl. Family-piece i. i. 43 Take Hungarian Vitriol, Allom, of each half a Pound, Phlegm of Vitriol 10 Pounds.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 505/1 Sulphuric acid and copper form sulphate of copper, blue vitriol, or Roman vitriol, or blue copperas.
3. † b. vitriol of Moon, vitriol of Venus, etc. (see quots. and 1704 in preceding). Obsolete. vitriol of Mars n. green vitriol, ferrous sulphate.
a. With term indicating the base, as vitriol of cobalt, vitriol of copper, vitriol of iron, vitriol of lead, vitriol of silver, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > copper sulphate
Roman vitriol?a1425
blue vitriol1560
blue copperas1646
bluestone1651
crystals, saffron, salt, vinegar, vitriol of Venus1693
vitriol of copper1694
blue vitriol1728
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > silver sulphate
vitriol of silver1694
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of copper
Roman vitriol?a1425
blue copperas1617
bluestone1651
crystals, saffron, salt, vinegar, vitriol of Venus1693
vitriol of copper1694
blue vitriol1728
copper-vitriol1770
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of silver
vitriol of silver1694
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > iron sulphate
green vitriolc1400
vitriol of Mars1678
colcothar of vitriol1753
vitriol of iron1753
iron alum1834
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of iron
green vitriolc1400
green copperasc1503
vitriol of Mars1678
vitriol of iron1753
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > cobalt sulphate
red vitriol1611
vitriol of cobalt1796
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of cobalt
red vitriol1611
vitriol of cobalt1796
1694 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana i. ix. 580/2 Of this opened Sol, to make Vitriol of Gold.
1695 W. W. Novum Lumen Chirurgicum Extinctum 61 The Pouder consists of a Vitriol of Copper.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Vitriol of Copper or Venus, is Blue Chrystals made by a Solution of Copper in Spirit of Nitre, Evaporation, and Chrystallization in a cool place.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Vitriol of Silver, or of the Moon.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) Of this kind are the Vitriols of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) Vitriol of Quicksilver, the name of a chemical preparation of quick~silver, with acid spirits.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) Another method of making the Vitriol of mercury.
1791 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 381 Fused..on a plate of platina, with the vitriols of tartar and soda, it appeared entirely to resist their action.
1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 90 If they are considered..as Vitriols of Cobalt and Nickel, they are ranged among Ores.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 288 The patient bore large doses of the vitriols of copper and of zinc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > iron sulphate
green vitriolc1400
vitriol of Mars1678
colcothar of vitriol1753
vitriol of iron1753
iron alum1834
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > sulphur > [noun] > compounds > sulphates > of iron
green vitriolc1400
green copperasc1503
vitriol of Mars1678
vitriol of iron1753
1678 W. Salmon tr. Pharmacopœia Londinensis 836/2 Filings of Steel are digested in Spirit of Vitriol, to make Vitriol of Mars.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Vitriol of Mars, Iron and Spirit of Vitriol mix'd and distill'd together.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Vitriol of Mars, or Salt of Steel, is made by dissolving Steel in some proper Acid Menstruum then Evaporating and Chrystallizing to gain the Salt as above in Copper.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 66 These crystals are called Green Vitriol, and Vitriol of Mars.
4. figurative.1678 V. Alsop Melius Inquirendum ii. i. 145 The Medicine is the same, only Rome..has added a few drops of the Spirits of Vitriol.† c. colcothar of vitriol, earth of vitriol, salt of vitriol: see quots.Also elixir of vitriol: see elixir n. 4.
a. oil of vitriol [compare Middle French huile de vitriol (Paré, 16th cent.)] , concentrated sulphuric acid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > acids > [noun] > acids-named > containing sulphur > sulphuric acid
oil of vitriol1580
vitriolic acid1748
chamber acid1853
hydrogen sulphate1869
oleum1905
1580 J. Frampton tr. N. Monardes Bk. Medicines agaynst Venome in Ioyfull Newes (new ed.) f. 117v In our time there hath beene compounded and drawen out an Oyle, which they call Oyle of Uitrioll, or Coporace.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Huile de vie, Oyle of Vitrioll.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxii. 176 This we fill'd with Oyl of Vitriol and fair water.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Oil of Vitriol, which comes out after the Spirit, by heightning the Fire wherewith that had been rais'd.
1779 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 70 31 Add, by a little at a time, as much vitriolic acid, commonly sold by the name of oil of vitriol, as will re-dissolve the whole.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xv. 384 Pouring in so much concentrated oil of vitriol as shall moisten the fragments.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 102 Water made slightly sour by addition of a little oil of vitriol.
b. spirit(s) of vitriol, a distilled essence of vitriol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites
spirit(s) of vitriol1671
vitriolica1684
sulphate1789
sulphite1789
M.S.1953
1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 175 Such as Oyl of Tartar and spirit of Vitriol.
1674 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 9 44 As for the Acid Saline Principle, I suppose no person who hath tasted the Spirit of Vitriol,..will question its abounding in that subject.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Salt Thus Spirit of Nitre, with Salt of Tartar, make Salt-petre; and Spirit of Salt, with Salt of Tartar, make a true Common Salt; and Spirit of Vitriol, with Salt of Tartar, a true Vitriol.
1769 W. Buchan Domest. Med. ii. 264 This may be sharpened with the spirits of vitriol.
1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 72/1 If the vitriolic acid contain much water, it is then called spirit of vitriol.
1859 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) 1336 Vitriol, Sweet Spirit of,..a term for..sulphuric ether.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > sulphates or sulphites > iron sulphate
green vitriolc1400
vitriol of Mars1678
colcothar of vitriol1753
vitriol of iron1753
iron alum1834
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician i. 21 Comatous children are..cured by Vomitive Salt of Vitriol.
1694 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana i. ix. 581/2 Terra Vitrioli dulcis, sweet Earth of Vitriol.
1738 G. Smith tr. Laboratory i. 21 Take red calcin'd Vitriol.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Sulphur Colcothar, or fixed salt of vitriol.
1755 Dict. Arts & Sci. (at cited word) A fine purple matter, called colcothar of vitriol.
5. figurative. (In allusion to the corrosive properties of vitriol.) Virulence or acrimony of feeling or utterance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > sourness or bitterness of temper > [noun]
gallc1175
sourness1482
fellc1494
acerbitya1538
tartness1548
acrimony1597
verjuice1598
vinegara1616
acidness1660
asperity1664
thorniness1674
acidity1687
acerbitude1727
acridity1753
vitriol1769
souredness1858
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xv. 101 Flat and insipid in your retired state, but brought into action, you become vitriol again.
1872 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David III. Ps. lv. 3 They..cast the vitriol of their calumny over me.
1895 Literary World (Boston) 8 Nov. 359/1 This introduction, with its mixture of genius, shrewdness, and vitriol, is a piece of prose not to be missed.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as vitriol bath, vitriol chamber, vitriol-maker, vitriol marcasite, vitriol-thrower, vitriol-throwing, vitriol water.
ΚΠ
1670 W. Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 62 The solution of the vitriol marcasite..precipitates the same vitriolick oaker.
1675 E. Wilson Spadacrene Dunelmensis 43 Two vitriol waters in the Copper Mine of Herongrundt.
1755 Dict. Arts & Sci. (at cited word) The old iron, picked up by the poor people about our streets, is sold to the vitriol or copperas makers.
1843 W. M. Thackeray Irish Sketch-bk. I. viii. 158 We had a talk about the vitriol-throwers at Cork, and the sentence just passed upon them.
1849 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace (1877) III. v. v. 263 They mourned over the murders, and vitriol-throwing of the operatives, who were enslaved by mercenary delegates.
1867 C. L. Bloxam Chemistry 205 The vitriol chambers form part of the plant of the alkali works.
1869 A. J. Evans Vashti iv. 59 Compassion is about as welcome to my feelings as a vitriol bath to fresh wounds.
C2. † vitriol stone n. Obsolete a native vitriol or sulphate.
vitriol ochre n. a former name of glockerite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > sulphates > [noun]
vitriolc1386
vitriol stone1669
1669 R. Boyle Of Absolute Rest in Bodies 15 in Certain Physiol. Ess. (ed. 2) A bulky Marchasite that I procur'd from a Virtuoso that lives just by a Vitriol-work, whither these among other Vitriol-Stones are brought.
1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. v. ix. 378 If in the incarning the Wound the Flesh grows luxurious, touch it with a Vitriol~stone, and it will..dispose it to cicatrize.
Derivatives
ˈvitriol v. (transitive) to injure (a person) by means of vitriol; to expose (a thing) to the effects of vitriol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > burn or scald
forscalda1225
forseethe?c1225
scald1340
burn1509
powder-burn1782
vitriolize1886
vitriol1897
1897 Westm. Gaz. 16 Dec. 5/2 I do not want to be killed, and I have a particular objection to being vitrioled.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1920; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.c1386