Chem. [a. Fr. aludel, in 13th c. alutel, ad. Arab. al-uthāl (quoted by Dozy with this sense in 9th c.), i.e., al the + uthāl, prob. variant of ithāl pl. of athla utensil, apparatus.] A pear-shaped pot of earthenware or glass, open at both ends, so that a series could be fitted one above another; used by the alchemists in sublimation.
1559. Morwyng, Evonym., 6. Putting wull of wode, or bombice into the upper hoole of the aludel.
1610. B. Jonson, Alchem., II. iii. (1616), 624. Let your heat, still, lessen by degrees, To the Aludels.
1677. Harris, trans. Lemery’s Chem. (1686), Introd. 44. Aludels … are Pots without a bottom, joyned together and are placed over another Pot with a hole in the middle to serve for Sublimations.
1731. Hales, Stat. Ess., I. 201. We luted a German retort to two or three large alodals.
1881. Raymond, Gloss. Mining Terms, Aludel, an earthen condenser for mercury.
