sal ammoniac

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A rare mineral composed of ammonium chloride found around volcanic fumaroles and guano deposits.
  2. Ammonium chloride.

Word forms

sal ammoniac salammoniac sal-ammoniac

Etymology

From Middle English sal armenak, sal armoniac, salarmoniac, sal armoniacum, sal armoniak, sal armonyak, salarmonyak, salle armonyacke, salt armoniake, salt armonyac, from Latin sal ammōniacus, sal armōniacus (“salt of Amun, ammonium chloride”), named so because it was found near the temple of (Jupiter) Ammon in Egypt. Ammon derives from Ancient Greek Ἄμμων (Ámmōn), from Egyptian jmn. Doublet of salmiac.

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