a. (and sb.). Now rare. [f. L. lixīvi-um lye + -AL. Cf. F. lixiviel.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to lixivium or lye; obtained by lixiviation. † Hence formerly used for: Alkaline; sometimes in narrower sense as the distinctive epithet of potash.
1650. Charleton, Van Helmont’s Ternary of Paradoxes, Proleg. D. A Lixivial Tincture, or Alchahal.
1651. Biggs, New Disp., ¶ 139. Pot-herbs … for the most part have a lixiviall volatile salt.
1675. Phil. Trans., X. 414. All kinds of Alcaly’s whether lixivial or alcalisate, fixt or volatile.
1676. Hodgson, ibid., XI. 765. The Lixivial salt I used, was only Potashes dissolved in Spring-water.
1684–5. Boyle, Min. Waters, 26. Of the tast of the Mineral Water, as Acid, Ferruginous, Vitriolate, Lixivial, Sulphureous, &c.
1689. G. Harvey, Curing Dis. by Expect., iv. 13. The swelling … was discussed by a lixivial Fomentation.
1731. Arbuthnot, Aliments, i. (1735), 14. The common Symptoms of the Excretion of the Bile being vitiated, are … a lixivial Urine [etc.].
1742. H. Baker, Microsc., II. xviii. 171. This Distemper … requires lixivial Washes.
1797. Beckford, Pop. Tales Germans, I. 163. Its neighbour [sc. stream] at Carlsbad … announces its entrance into the world by hot lixivial fumes.
1800. W. Saunders, Min. Waters, 343. Carbonated soda … gives the lixivial taste.
† B. sb. A lixivium, an alkali. Obs.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., IV. 129. An Ulcer is an effect of an acid, not of a lixivial.
1698. Phil. Trans., XX. 199. A Medicine … put into a very strong Lixivial.
