1. plural of alkahest; a hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists that could dissolve any substance
Usage: archaic; historical; chiefly used in discussions of alchemy and the history of chemistry

Examples

• Medieval alchemists spent centuries searching for alkahests that could dissolve gold and other precious metals.
• The concept of alkahests represents the alchemical dream of a substance with unlimited dissolving power.
• No true alkahest was ever discovered, as the idea contradicts the laws of chemistry.
• Historical texts describe various attempts to create alkahests through mystical processes.
• The pursuit of alkahests reflected alchemists' misunderstanding of chemical properties and reactions.