potash

[ pot-ash ]

noun

1. potassium carbonate, especially the crude impure form obtained from wood ashes.
2. potassium hydroxide.
3. the oxide of potassium, K 2 O.
4. potassium, as carbonate of potash.

potash

/ ˈpɒtˌæʃ /

noun

1. another name for potassium carbonate, esp the form obtained by leaching wood ash
2. another name for potassium hydroxide
3. potassium chemically combined in certain compounds

   chloride of potash

potash

/ pŏt′ăsh′ /

1. Any of several chemical compounds that contain potassium, especially potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), which is a strongly alkaline material obtained from wood ashes and used in fertilizers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

1615–25; back formation from plural pot-ashes, translation of early Dutch potasschen. See pot ¹, ash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

C17 pot ashes, translation of obsolete Dutch potaschen; so called because originally obtained by evaporating the lye of wood ashes in pots

Example Sentences

A prolonged dispute could have disrupted shipments of a range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

From BBC

A prolonged dispute could disrupt shipments of a wide range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

From BBC

The proposal would have required Anglo American to spin off two South African units, Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore, as BHP sought to focus on copper, coking coal used in steel production and potash, a widely used fertilizer.

From Seattle Times

The combination would also increase BHP’s holdings of potash, a widely used fertilizer, and coking coal used in steel production.

From Seattle Times

BHP said the deal would boost its presence in the copper market, which is seeing demand soar amid the shift towards clean energy, as well as giving it greater access to potash, and coking coal in Australia.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• manure