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oil of vitriol

American  

noun

Chemistry.
  1. sulfuric acid.


oil of vitriol British  

noun

  1. another name for sulphuric acid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of oil of vitriol

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You carried oil of vitriol knocking about in a sack? It is infinitely dangerous, my boy.”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

When the oxidation is complete, the anthraquinone is separated in a filter press, washed and heated to 120� C. with commercial oil of vitriol, using about 2� parts of vitriol to 1 of anthraquinone.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various

The common ester—ethyl acetate—is a volatile colourless liquid, manufactured by distilling a mixture of alcohol, oil of vitriol, and acetic acid, and used for flavouring purposes.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various

As was mentioned in the chapter on Bones, Liebig in the year 1840 discovered that the effect of adding oil of vitriol, or sulphuric acid, to bones was to render the phosphate they contain soluble.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton

What is the antidote for aqua fortis and oil of vitriol?

From A Treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene (Revised Edition) by Cutter, Calvin