Now rare. Also 6 spodiom. [L. spodium (Pliny), ad. Gr. σπόδιον, = σποδός SPODE1 Cf. It. spodio, Sp., Pg. espodio.] A fine powder obtained from various substances by calcination. (See quots. and cf. NILL sb.1)
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 63. Medicynez restrictyuez bene þise; Camphore, accacia, spodium [text spodin], coriandre.
1528. Paynell, Salerne’s Regim. (1535), 71. As spodium doth helpe and comforte the liuer.
1588. T. Hickock, trans. C. Frederick’s Voy., 38 b. The Spodiom coniealeth in certaine canes.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 520. There is a kind of Spodium also made of lead in the furnace.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 216. The ashes of their bones if salted, serve in stead of spodium.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Mandelslo’s Trav., II. 152. Spodium is the ashes of a tree growing near Sunda.
1671. Phillips, Spodium, a sort of soot which rising from the trying of Brass, falls down at length to the bottom.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The Moderns make their Spodium of Ivory burnt and calcined to a Whiteness.
1861. [see SPODE1].
