Dictionary

tritorium en · NOUN

Etymology

Compare Latin terere, tritum (“to rub”).

Meanings

1. (obsolete) A vessel for separating liquids of different densities.
   • He passes judgment on the different kinds of retorts and receivers, cucurbits, tritoria, filters, vessels for crystallization; and particularizes all the apparatus required in chemistry. 1758, The Critical Review, Or, Annals of Literature, volume 4:
   • The particular kind of tritorium which facilitated the etherification of phosphoric acid, and is applicable to many other chemical operations, affords the means of practising the operation just now proposed, as follows. 1809, Mr. Boullay, “On Sulphuric Ether, and on the Preparation of it”, in The Repertory Of Arts And Manufactures:
   • The receivers should be emptied, by means of a tin funnel, into the tin or pewter tritorium described p. 30; and the crude spirit kept there till it be wanted for rectification; or, if the tritorium will not contain all that may happen to be made, this spirit may be drawn off […] 1758, Robert Dossie, The elaboratory laid open:

Forms