| 释义 |
men·stru·um
\ˈmenztr(əw)əm, -n(t)str-\ noun
(plural menstruums \-)əmz\ ; or mens·trua \-)ə\)
Etymology: Medieval Latin, literally, menses, alteration of Latin menstrua; from the comparison made by alchemists of a base metal in a solvent undergoing transmutation into gold with an ovum in utero undergoing transformation by the menstrual blood — more at menstrual
1. : a substance that dissolves a solid or holds it in suspension : solvent; specifically : a solvent used to extract soluble principles from drugs especially by percolation
2. : a universal or general solvent in which other things are dissolved or disintegrated or lose their separate identities
< the sea … has been so well named the menstruum of life — W.E.Swinton >
< one unifying menstruum of all the sciences — H.M.Kallen > |