Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-LEM'BIC, n. [Ar. al and أَنْبِكٌ or أَنْبِيقٌ anbixon, a chimical vessel.]

A chimical vessel used in distillation; usually made of glass or copper. The bottom part containing the liquor to be distilled, is called the cucurbit; the upper part which receives and condenses the steam, is called the head, the beak of which is fitted to the neck of a receiver. The head is morel properly the alembic. This vessel is not so generally used now, as the worm-still and retort.