Pharm. Also 7 -ix. [a. Fr. alphenic (Sp. alfeñique, Pg. alfenim), according to Devic, corrupted from Arab. alfānīd, i.e., al the + Pers. fānīd refined sugar. Other adaptations of the same word were Fr. pénide and med.L. penidium.] White barley sugar, or sugar candy.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 172. To be retained in the mouth like so much Alphenix.
1775. Ash, Alphenic, White barley sugar.
1811. Hooper, Med. Dict., Alphanic, Alphenic, an Arabian word for barley-sugar, or sugar-candy.
