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