microcosmic salt

noun

: a white crystalline salt NaNH₄HPO₄.4H₂O that is obtained by mixing solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium phosphate or chloride, that is changed to a sodium phosphate glass on heating, and that is used as a flux like borax in beads for testing for metallic oxides and salts; sodium ammonium hydrogen phosphate

Word History

Etymology

translation of New Latin sal microcosmicus; from the fact that it was originally obtained from human urine

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