What is "hepar"

Hepar \He"par\, n. [L. hepar, hepatis, the liver, Gr. ?.]

1. (Old Chem.) Liver of sulphur; a substance of a liver-brown color, sometimes used in medicine. It is formed by fusing sulphur with carbonates of the alkalies (esp. potassium), and consists essentially of alkaline sulphides. Called also hepar sulphuris.

2. Any substance resembling hepar proper, in appearance; specifically, in homeopathy, calcium sulphide, called also hepar sulphuris calcareum (?).

   Hepar antimonii(Old Chem.), a substance, of a liver-brown color, obtained by fusing together antimony sulphide with alkaline sulphides, and consisting of sulphantimonites of the alkalies; -- called also liver of antimony.

metallic sulfide, 1690s, from Medieval Latin, from Greek hepar "liver" (see hepatitis); so called for its color.

n. 1 (context obsolete chemistry English) liver of sulphur; a substance of a liver-brown colour, sometimes used in medicine, formed by fusing sulphur with carbonates of the alkalis (especially potassium). 2 (context obsolete chemistry English) Any substance resembling hepar in appearance; specifically, in homeopathy, calcium sulphide.