noun
- Plural of menstruum; solvents or liquids used in chemistry or alchemy to dissolve or extract substances.
Usage: technical; archaic; chemistry/alchemy
Examples
- In medieval alchemy, menstrua were carefully selected liquids believed to possess transformative properties.
- The chemist prepared various menstrua to test their ability to dissolve the mineral compound.
- Historical texts describe menstrua as essential tools in the alchemist's laboratory.