ˈmenztr(əw)əm, -n(t)str- noun
( plural menstruums -)əmz ; or mens·trua -)ə)
Etymology: Medieval Latin, literally, menses, alteration of Latin menstrua; from the comparison made by alchemists of a base metal in a solvent undergoing transmutation into gold with an ovum in utero undergoing transformation by the menstrual blood — more at menstrual
1. : a substance that dissolves a solid or holds it in suspension : solvent ; specifically : a solvent used to extract soluble principles from drugs especially by percolation
2. : a universal or general solvent in which other things are dissolved or disintegrated or lose their separate identities
the sea … has been so well named the menstruum of life — W.E.Swinton
one unifying menstruum of all the sciences — H.M.Kallen