caput mortuum

noun

caput mor·​tu·​um

-ˈmȯrchəwəm

plural capita mortua

-wə

1

alchemy : the residuum after distillation or sublimation

2

: dross : worthless residue

3

or caput mortuum vitrioli

-ˌvi‧trēˈōˌlē,

-ī

: a red iron-oxide pigment made by calcining iron sulfate

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, dead head

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