[L., living sulphur.] Native or virgin sulphur; also, in a fused, partly purified form (see quot. 1855).
1651. French, Distill., iii. 69. Take of Sulphur vivum as much as you please.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Sulphur, Sulphur Vivum is thus called, as being such as it is taken out of the Mine.
1855. J. Scoffern, in Orr’s Circ. Sci., Elem. Chem., 337. The first rough process of purification consists in exposing the sulphureous materials to a temperature above the fusing point of sulphur…. The fused sulphur, brought to this condition, is poured off and allowed to consolidate. It is still far from pure, and is known in commerce under the name of sulphur vivum.
