natron

[ ney-tron, -truhn ]

noun

1. a mineral, hydrated sodium carbonate, Na 2 CO 3 ⋅10H 2 O.

natron

/ ˈneɪtrən /

noun

1. a whitish or yellow mineral that consists of hydrated sodium carbonate and occurs in saline deposits and salt lakes. Formula: Na 2 CO 3 .10H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of natron¹

1675–85; < French < Spanish < Arabic naṭrūn, variant of niṭrūn < Greek nítron niter; compare also Egyptian ntry, Hebrew nether

Word History and Origins

Origin of natron¹

C17: via French and Spanish from Arabic natrūn, from Greek nitron

Example Sentences

Natron in Tanzania is the only regular breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa and it has experienced declining productivity alongside rising water levels in recent years.

From Science Daily

Higher water levels also make lakes inhospitable by flooding nesting sites, as the team observed at Tanzania’s Lake Natron, the species’ only regular breeding site in East Africa.

From Science Magazine

But there are paths to mummified eternity that don’t involve canopic jars, natron salts, or brain-removing hooks.

From National Geographic

Both workshops featured stone beds, clay pots, ritual vessels, natron salt, which is one of the main ingredients for mummification, and linens among other mummification instruments.

From Reuters

As a massive curtain of clouds lifted, we could see part of the Serengeti plains far beyond on the left, the sled-shaped Lake Natron way off in front and the remote volcano to our right, its top crowned with a cloud mass bigger than the mountain.

From New York Times