universal solvent

Hypothetical total dissolver

A universal solvent is a liquid capable of dissolving any substance.

In alchemy, it was a hypothetical agent that could break down any material—a goal that posed its own paradox, since nothing could contain it.

In chemistry, water is sometimes called the universal solvent because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid, though the term is imprecise.

Water's reputation as a universal solvent makes it essential to biological processes.

chemistry

solubility

Dissolving potential in liquid

aqueousPertaining to liquid solutions
hydrophilicTending to absorb water
polarityState of opposing forces

dissolution · solute · miscible · saturation · concentration · dilution · hydration · dissociation · solvation · dispersion

metaphor

panacea

Universal cure

cure-allSupposed universal remedy
keyLock-opening device
answerSolution to query

fix · remedy · breakthrough · silver bullet · magic bullet · skeleton key · master key · resolution · omnipotent · all-purpose

alchemy

aqua regia

Acid dissolving gold

philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
transmutationComplete change of form
elixirMythical healing draught

quintessence · hermeticism · calcination · dissolution · coagulation · sublimation · distillation · alembic · crucible · magnum opus

paradox

container

Thing for storing items

vesselReceptacle for contents
indestructibleImpossible to damage permanently
unsolvableImpossible to resolve

riddle · impossibility · contradiction · conundrum · logical · hypothetical · thought experiment · puzzle · dilemma · omnipotence

universal solvent

solubility

panacea

aqua regia

container

universal solvent

Opposites

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