maltha

American  

[mal-thuh] / ˈmæl θə /

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.

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maltha British  

/ ˈmælθə /

noun

1. another name for mineral tar

2. any of various naturally occurring mixtures of hydrocarbons, such as ozocerite

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Etymology

Origin of maltha

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

Example Sentences

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 Scientific American Supplement, No. 362, December 9, 1882 by Various

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 A Treatise on Domestic Economy For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School by Beecher, Catharine Esther

Among different bituminous substances, the names naphtha and petrolium 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 American Woman's Home by Beecher, Catharine Esther

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 Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

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 The New North by Cameron, Agnes Deans