CAPUT MORTUUM Meaning and
Definition
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Caput mortuum is a Latin term that translates to "dead head" in English. In the fields of chemistry and alchemy, it refers to a residue or waste material left over after a process of purification, particularly in the extraction of metals. The term is often associated with the dull brownish or reddish color of this residue, resembling a dead or decaying substance.
In alchemy, caput mortuum represents the final stage of the transformation process, where all impurities have been separated and discarded, and only the essential or desired element remains. It symbolizes the death of base or impure matter, paving the way for the birth or emergence of a higher or purified substance. The concept of caput mortuum reflects the alchemical belief in the transmutation of substances and the quest for spiritual purification.
Beyond alchemy, caput mortuum is also used metaphorically to describe a worthless or insignificant residue or remainder of something. It may be employed to depict the remnants or leftovers of a failed venture or project that hold no value or potential for further use. Additionally, the term can be applied in a symbolic sense to describe the final or negligible aspect of a person's life or a historical event that has little impact or relevance.
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Impure ferrous oxide left after the ignition of iron pyrites.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CAPUT MORTUUM
- xaput mortuum
- vaput mortuum
- faput mortuum
- daput mortuum
- czput mortuum
- csput mortuum
- cwput mortuum
- cqput mortuum
- caout mortuum
- calut mortuum
- ca-ut mortuum
- ca0ut mortuum
- capyt mortuum
- capht mortuum
- capjt mortuum
- capit mortuum
- cap8t mortuum
- cap7t mortuum
- capur mortuum
- capuf mortuum
Etymology of CAPUT MORTUUM
The word "caput mortuum" has its origins in Latin. "Caput" means "head" or "top", and "mortuum" translates to "dead" or "lifeless". The term is a metaphorical expression used in alchemy and later adopted in art. It refers to a dull greyish-brown color that resembles the appearance of a dead or decomposed body. In alchemy, "caput mortuum" referred to the residue left in a vessel after a substance was subjected to intense heat or chemical reactions. Over time, the term made its way into various languages and artistic contexts, retaining its original meaning of a lifeless or worthless residue.
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