'Menstrua' definitions:

Definition of 'Menstrua'

From: GCIDE
  • Menstruum \Men"stru*um\, n.; pl. E. Menstruums, L. Menstrua. [L. menstruus. See Menstruous.] Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent. [1913 Webster]
  • The proper menstruum to dissolve metal. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction. --Quincy. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The use is supposed to have originated in some notion of the old chemists about the influence of the moon in the preparation of dissolvents. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]