alembic

n. [ F. alambic (cf. Sp. alambique), Ar. al-anbīq, fr. Gr. 'a`mbix cup, cap of a still. The cap or head was the alembic proper. Cf. Limbec. ] An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and worm still.
Used also metaphorically.

The alembic of a great poet's imagination. Brimley. [ 1913 Webster ]