1.
Of or pertaining to the microcosm.
Microcosmic salt, a white crystalline substance obtained by mixing solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium phosphate, and also called hydric-sodic-ammonic-phosphate. It is a powerful flux, and is used as a substitute for borax as a blowpipe reagent in testing for the metallic oxides. Originally obtained by the alchemists from human urine, and called sal microcosmicum.
Origin: Cf. F. Microcosmique.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
