in general, whatever dissolves or reduces a solid body into such minute parts as to be sustained in a fluid.

The principal dissolvents for metals, are aqua-regia and aqua-fortis; for salts, earths, and gums, water; for coral, and other alkaline substances, distilled vinegar or spirits of wine. Dissolvents are the same with what the chemists call menstruum. See the article Menstruum.

**Universal Dissolvent.** See the article Alkahest.