maltha

[ mal-thuh ]

noun

1. a liquid bitumen used in ancient times as a mortar or waterproofing agent.
2. any of various natural mixtures of bituminous hydrocarbons.
3. a viscous mineral liquid or semiliquid bitumen; a mineral tar.

maltha

/ ˈmælθə /

noun

1. another name for mineral tar
2. any of various naturally occurring mixtures of hydrocarbons, such as ozocerite

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltha¹

1375–1425; late Middle English malthe < Latin < Greek máltha, málthē mixed wax and pitch

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltha¹

C15: via Latin from Greek: a mixture of wax and pitch

Example Sentences

The flow of gas was so heavy that it clogged his drills with maltha and sand, and from then to now the gas has been escaping.

From Project Gutenberg

Heineccius and others relate that maltha also was employed for seals.

From Project Gutenberg

This Order is the same as that of Maltha, and is only separated from it since Luther.

From Project Gutenberg