[From the name of the inventor, Baron Justus von Liebig (1803–73).] More fully, Liebig’s extract (of beef): A preparation obtained from beef, containing the salts and extractive principles of the meat in highly concentrated form, without the albumen, gelatin or fat.
1869. E. A. Parkes, Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3), 246. When Liebig’s extract is taken during fatigue, it is found to be remarkably restorative.
1870. Daily News, 27 Dec., 5/4. This [rice], with the chocolate and Liebig which he has in hand will last him for about three weeks.
1873. Tristram, Moab, x. 176. Meat and Liebig, without bread … was trying diet.
fig. 1874. L. Tollemache, in Fortn. Rev., Feb., 247. They do not contain the moral Liebig which would alone satisfy descendants of the Platonic guardians.
1890. Spectator, 9 Aug., 168/2. If there is to be a supreme Parliament in future, it must be a Liebig’s extract of Parliament.
attrib. 1893. F. F. Moore, I Forbid Banns (1899), 24. Love-making on the Liebig principle … as much love-making as would do duty for six months compressed into half an hour.
