† ˈchalcanth, chalˈcanthum Obs.
Also c(h)alcanthus, calcanth.
[a. F. calcante (Cotgr.), and L. c(h)alcanthum, -us, a. Gr. χάλκανθον, χάλκανθος ‘a solution of blue vitriol used for ink and blacking’, f. χαλκός copper + ἄνθος a flower.]
An old name for blue vitriol (sulphate of copper), and for a kind of ink made therefrom; sometimes also applied to green vitriol (sulphate of iron).
| 1678 Phillips, Calcanth, a Chymical word, being the same as Vitriol. 1730–6 Bailey (folio), Calcanthum, vitriol rubified. Chalcanthum, vitriol or copperas. 1717 Berkeley in Fraser Life & Lett. 586 A vapour sulphurous with some tincture of nitre, calcanthus, and bitumen. 1718 Quincy Compl. Disp. 14/1 Vitriol, when all its Moisture is dry'd away, becomes Chalcanthum. |