| hartshorn | 1. <zoology> The horn or antler of the hart, or male red deer. 2. <alchemy> Spirits of hartshorn; volatile salts. Hartshorn plantain, a solution of ammonia in water; so called because formerly obtained from hartshorn shavings by destructive distillation. Similar ammoniacal solutions from other sources have received the same name. (06 Mar 1998) |
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| ardent spirits | Brandy, whiskey, and other forms of distilled alcoholic liquors. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vital spirits | In the galenical teachings, a vital essence or principle supposed to be generated from the air or pneuma in the left ventricle of the heart; carried in the blood to the brain, it was converted to animal spirit's which then flowed along the nerves to all parts of the body. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neutral spirits | Spirits distilled from suitable raw materials, are 95% ethanol (v/v) that is, at least 190 proof when distilled. Used for blending with straight whiskey and for making gin, cordials, liqueurs, and vodka. See: alcohol. Proof spirit, dilute alcohol, specific gravity 0.920, containing 49.5% by weight (57.27% by volume) of C2H5OH at 15.56캜. Originally in Great Britain it was the weakest alcohol that would permit ignition of gunpowder moistened with it. British proof spirit has a specific gravity of 0.9198 and contains 49.2% C2H5OH by weight, or 57.1% by volume at the temperature of 10.56캜. (05 Mar 2000) |