litharge

[ lith-ahrj, li-thahrj ]

noun

1. a yellowish or reddish, odorless, heavy, earthy, water-insoluble, poisonous solid, PbO, used chiefly in the manufacture of storage batteries, pottery, lead glass, paints, enamels, and inks.

litharge

/ ˈlɪθɑːdʒ /

noun

1. See lead monoxide
   another name for lead monoxide

Word History and Origins

Origin of litharge¹

1350–1400; earlier litarge, litharge, Middle English litarge < Middle French, apocopated variant of litargire < Latin lithargyrus < Greek lithárgyros spume of silver, equivalent to lith- lith- + árgyros silver

Word History and Origins

Origin of litharge¹

C14: via Old French from Latin lithargyrus, from Greek, from lithos stone + arguros silver

Example Sentences

Into the perforations is pressed a paste of red lead and litharge mixed with sulphuric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Put litharge of lead into very strong vinegar, and let it stand twenty-four hours.

From Project Gutenberg

It is manufactured in two forms, known as “massicot” and “litharge.”

From Project Gutenberg

Take 80 grams of litharge and 20 grams of a mixture of borax and soda.

From Project Gutenberg

The drops of litharge which in the earlier stages flow steadily from the surface of the alloy, thin off later to a luminous film.

From Project Gutenberg