A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Wash

Any fermented mixture which, after distillation, would produce distilled spirits (Ethanol CH₃CH₂OH, with impurities).

Water gas

Mixture of Hydrogen (H₂) and Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Water glass (Soluble Glass)

A hydrated Sodium Silicate, Na₂Si₄O₉^.xH₂O, either an amorphous solid or in thick aqueous solution, used as a binder or adhesive.

Water of Minderus

A solution of Ammonium Acetate (NH₄C₂H₃O₂).

Water of Rabel

A solution of Ethyl Ether (CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃) in Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH)

Wax

A term referring to beeswax only, as the Hydrocarbon waxes were not available in the18th. century.

Whey

The liquid which remains after milk is curdled, usually in the process of cheese-making

White Arsenic

Arsenious Oxide (As₂O₃) Made from Arsenical soot from the roasting ovens, purified by sublimation.

White Calx of Antimony

Mixture of Antimony Oxide (Sb₂O₃) and Potassium Oxide (K₂O).

White Copper

An alloy of Arsenic (As), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn).

White Copperas

Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO₄)

White Lead

Basic Lead Carbonate (Pb(CO₃)₂ ^. Pb (OH)₂). Used as a pigment.

White Manganese

Manganous Carbonate (MnCO₃)

White Precipitated Mercury (Precipitate of Sublimate of Mercury)

Mercurammonium Chloride (HgNH₂Cl)

White Vitriol

Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO₄)  Described by Basil Valentine. Made by lixiviating roasted zinc blende (Zinc Sulphide).

Wind Furnace

A reverberating furnace.

Wine

Often used more broadly by 18th. century chemists to include any potable liquid which had become "spiritous" through fermentation; e.g., beer, cider, and mead.

Wismuth

Bismuth.

Witherite

Barium Carbonate (BaCO₃).

Woad

A blue dye prepared from the leaves of the plant Isatis tinctoria.

Wolfram

A name of Germanic origin originally applied to a native Iron Manganese Tungstate and later to the element Tungsten, hence the symbol W.  Also referenced as a mineral substance Spumi lupi that was under investigation in the 18th century.

Wood Ash or Potash

Potassum Carbonate (K₂CO₃). Made from the ashes of burnt wood.

Worm

A long, coiled tube, usually of copper, attached to the head of a distillation apparatus for the purpose of increasing condensation. A worm commonly was used in distilling spirits.

Wormwood

The plant Artemisia absinthium, the leaves of which were used to make an extract by distillation. Used as a medicinal.

Wort

An infusion of grain, usually malt, which was fermented to produce beer.

Woulfe Bottle

A bottle with two or more necked orifices that was used in distillation.