Sal Ammoniac
/ˌsæl əˈmoʊniæk/noun
A mineral form of ammonium chloride, historically used in medicine, alchemy, metallurgy, and soldering.
Did you know?Ancient sal ammoniac was associated with Egypt’s Ammon oasis and became a prized alchemical substance, used in experiments involving metals and transformation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*séh₂l
“Salt or a salty substance”
Ancient Latin
Latin
sal
“Salt”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ammon
“Ammon, the Greek name of the Egyptian deity Amun”
Late Latin
Latin
sal ammoniacum
“Salt associated with Ammon, referring to ammonium chloride from the Ammon oasis region”
Medieval Latin
Latin
sal ammoniac
“Ammonium chloride, used in medicine and alchemical practice”
14th Century
English
sal armoniac
“Ammonium chloride”
Modern English
English
sal ammoniac
“A mineral or manufactured form of ammonium chloride”