in Chemistry, an operation by which the same liquor is frequently distilled from the same body, either with an intention to dissolve this body, or to produce some change upon it. This is one of those operations which the ancient chemists practised with great patience and zeal, but which is now neglected. To make the operation easier, and to prevent the trouble of frequently changing the vessels, a particular kind of alembic, called a pelican, was invented. This vessel was made in the form of a cucurbit with an alembic-head, but had two spouts communicating with the body. As the vapour rose up into the head, it was gradually condensed, and ran down the spouts into the body of the pelican, from whence it was again distilled; and so on.