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

By extension, any one of the natural hydrocarbons, including the hard, solid, brittle varieties called asphalt, the semisolid maltha and mineral tars, the oily petroleums, and even the light, volatile naphthas.

From Project Gutenberg

These materials are obtained from crude petroleum or semi-solid native bitumens, in which case they are usually called malthas.

From Project Gutenberg

Among different bituminous substances, the names naphtha and petroleum have been given to those which are fluid; maltha, to that which has the consistence of pitch; and asphaltum, to that which is solid.

From Project Gutenberg

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

Thus they form a heterogeneous assemblage of liquid hydrocarbons, of which naphtha and maltha may be said to form the extremes, and which have little in common, except their undefinable name.

From Project Gutenberg