alembic

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tube
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Alembic \A*lem"bic\ ([.a]*l[e^]m"b[i^]k), n. [F. alambic (cf. Sp. alambique), Ar. al-anb[imac]q, fr. Gr. 'a`mbix cup, cap of a still. The cap or head was the alembic proper. Cf. Limbec.] An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and worm still.

Note: Used also metaphorically.

The alembic of a great poet's imagination.— Brimley.[1913 Webster]
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