menstruum

[ men-stroo-uh m, -struh m ]
/ ˈmɛn stru əm, -strəm /

noun, plural men·stru·ums, men·stru·a [men-stroo-uh, -struh] /ˈmɛn stru ə, -strə/.

a solvent.

Origin of menstruum

1350–1400; special use of Middle English menstruum monthly period < Medieval Latin (in L only plural mēnstrua occurs). See menstrual

Words nearby menstruum

menstrual period, menstruant, menstruate, menstruation, menstruous, menstruum, mensurable, mensural, mensural music, mensural notation, mensuration

Example sentences from the Web for menstruum

British Dictionary definitions for menstruum

menstruum
/ (ˈmɛnstrʊəm) /

noun plural -struums or -strua (-strʊə) obsolete

a solvent, esp one used in the preparation of a drug
a solid formulation of a drug

Word Origin for menstruum

C17 (meaning: solvent), C14 (menstrual discharge): from Medieval Latin, from Latin mēnstruus monthly, from mēnsis month; from an alchemical comparison between a base metal being transmuted into gold and the supposed action of the menses

Medical definitions for menstruum

menstruum
[ mĕn′strōō-əm ]

n. pl. men•stru•ums

A solvent, especially one used in extracting compounds from plant and animal tissues and preparing drugs.