Also 7 empyruma; pl. empyreumata. [a. Gr. ἐμπύρευμα a live coal covered with ashes, f. ἐμπυρεύειν to set on fire.]
† 1. (See quots.) Obs.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exp. Chyrurg., vi. 20. That outward heat doth draw unto it Empyruma, that is, heat left by the fire in the burned part.
1656. Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 66. The Empyreuma, or Atoms of the fire must first be called forth.
2. The ‘burnt’ smell imparted by fire to organic substances.
1641. French, Distill., i. (1653), 13. A certain Empyreuma, or smatch of the fire.
1736. Bailey, Houshold Dict., 188. If the cassia be drawn low it is very subject to an empyreuma.
1794–6. E. Darwin, Zoon. (1801), I. 195. Our victuals … are adulterated with salt, spice, oil, and empyreuma.
1858. Hogg, Life Shelley, II. 423. A disgusting taste … gravely pronounced to be only an empyreuma.
† 3. In pl. ‘Little feaverish remains, after a crisis. Also that thick viscous matter which settles at the bottom of distilled Water’ (Phillips). Obs.–0
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1775. in Ash.
