microcosmic salt

noun

A white salt, extracted from urine; once used in the preparation of phosphorus, and used in analytical tests for some metals; ammonium sodium hydrogenphosphate (NH₄)NaHPO₄.

Meanings

nounmicrocosmic salt (uncountable)
  1. dateduncountablechemistryA white salt, extracted from urine; once used in the preparation of phosphorus, and used in analytical tests for some metals; ammonium sodium hydrogenphosphate (NH₄)NaHPO₄.

Origin

From its alchemical name sal microcosmicum.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

microcosmic salt. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microcosmic%20salt

MLA

“microcosmic salt.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microcosmic%20salt. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “microcosmic salt,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microcosmic%20salt.

Source: microcosmic salt on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.