Obs. rare. [ad. med.L. tritōri-um, f. L. trīt-, ppl. stem of terĕre to rub, thresh: see -ORY1. Cf. Ælfrics Vocab. (Wr.-Wülcker, 107/2), Trītōrium, þerscel, THRESHEL, a threshing-instrument, a flail, which separates the grain from the straw and chaff.] A vessel for separating liquids of different densities.
1660. trans. Paracelsus Archidoxis, I. x. 143. The Pure [Spirit] will Swim at top, Separate it by a Tritory, or Separating Glass.
[1693. trans. Blancards Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Tritorium, the same with Infundibulum.
1758. [R. Dossie], Elaboratory laid open, Introd. 30. Tritoriums, or separating funnels.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Tritorium, term for a mortar; also a glass for separating oil from water in distillation; formerly used the same as Infundibulum, according to Ruland and Johnson, and Paracelsus.]