Origin: L. Menstruus. See Menstruous. ... Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent. 'The proper menstruum to dissolve metal.' (Bacon) 'All liquors are called menstruums which are used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by infusion or decoction.' (Quincy) ... The use is supposed to have originated in some notion of... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20973
Men'stru·um noun ; plural English Menstruums , Latin Menstrua . [ Latin menstruus . See Menstruous .] Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent. « The proper menstruum to dissolve metal.» Bacon. « All liquors are calle... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/M/48