Volatile alkali

Volatile alkali
Volatile Vol"a*tile, a. [F. volatil, L. volatilis, fr. volare to fly, perhaps akin to velox swift, E. velocity. Cf. {Volley}.] 1. Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2. Capable of wasting away, or of easily passing into the a["e]riform state; subject to evaporation. [1913 Webster]

Note: Substances which affect the smell with pungent or fragrant odors, as musk, hartshorn, and essential oils, are called volatile substances, because they waste away on exposure to the atmosphere. Alcohol and ether are called volatile liquids for a similar reason, and because they easily pass into the state of vapor on the application of heat. On the contrary, gold is a fixed substance, because it does not suffer waste, even when exposed to the heat of a furnace; and oils are called fixed when they do not evaporate on simple exposure to the atmosphere. [1913 Webster]

3. Fig.: Light-hearted; easily affected by circumstances; airy; lively; hence, changeable; fickle; as, a volatile temper. [1913 Webster]

You are as giddy and volatile as ever. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

{Volatile alkali}. (Old Chem.) See under {Alkali}.

{Volatile liniment}, a liniment composed of sweet oil and ammonia, so called from the readiness with which the latter evaporates.

{Volatile oils}. (Chem.) See {Essential oils}, under {Essential}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Volatile alkali — Alkali Al ka*li (?; 277), n.; pl. {Alkalis} or {Alkalies}. [F. alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqal[=i] ashes of the plant saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.] 1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) One of a …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • volatile alkali — noun (obsolete) Ammonia • • • Main Entry: ↑volatile …   Useful english dictionary

  • volatile alkali — Ammonia Am*mo ni*a, n. [From sal ammoniac, which was first obtaining near the temple of Jupiter Ammon, by burning camel s dung. See {Ammoniac}.] (Chem.) A gaseous compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, {NH3}, with a pungent smell and taste: often… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • volatile alkali — amoniakinis vanduo statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis 20–25% vandeninis amoniako tirpalas. atitikmenys: angl. ammonia liquor; ammonia water; aqua ammonia; volatile alkali rus. аммиак; аммиачная вода ryšiai: sinonimas – amoniakas …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • volatile alkali — ammonia …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • volatile alkali — Ammonia, ammoniacal gas …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • Volatile — Vol a*tile, a. [F. volatil, L. volatilis, fr. volare to fly, perhaps akin to velox swift, E. velocity. Cf. {Volley}.] 1. Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Volatile liniment — Volatile Vol a*tile, a. [F. volatil, L. volatilis, fr. volare to fly, perhaps akin to velox swift, E. velocity. Cf. {Volley}.] 1. Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Volatile oils — Volatile Vol a*tile, a. [F. volatil, L. volatilis, fr. volare to fly, perhaps akin to velox swift, E. velocity. Cf. {Volley}.] 1. Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Alkali — Al ka*li (?; 277), n.; pl. {Alkalis} or {Alkalies}. [F. alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqal[=i] ashes of the plant saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.] 1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) One of a class… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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