potash

[ pot-ash ]

noun

1. potassium carbonate, especially the crude impure form obtained from wood ashes.
2. potassium hydroxide.
3. the oxide of potassium, K 2 O.
4. potassium, as carbonate of potash.

potash

/ ˈpɒtˌæʃ /

noun

1. another name for potassium carbonate, esp the form obtained by leaching wood ash
2. another name for potassium hydroxide
3. potassium chemically combined in certain compounds

   chloride of potash

potash

/ pŏt′ăsh′ /

1. Any of several chemical compounds that contain potassium, especially potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), which is a strongly alkaline material obtained from wood ashes and used in fertilizers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

1615–25; back formation from plural pot-ashes, translation of early Dutch potasschen. See pot ¹, ash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

C17 pot ashes, translation of obsolete Dutch potaschen; so called because originally obtained by evaporating the lye of wood ashes in pots

Example Sentences

Supplies of agricultural fertilizer may decrease around the world, as Russia and its ally Belarus control more than a third of the world’s potash production, a key ingredient in fertilizer.

From Time

Potash said in an online post Sunday that “the FDA’s letter does NOT take issue with single-person scanners, like the top selling CERTIFY’s SnapXT,” though the FDA warning letter specifically names that device.

From Washington Post

This I attribute to the potash being in a little more caustic condition than when recrystallised with iodine.

From Project Gutenberg

It dissolves in dilute potash, and on the addition of acetic acid is deposited in a pure state.

From Project Gutenberg

Eventually, however, both varieties become converted into clay, their magnesia and potash passing gradually into soluble forms.

From Project Gutenberg

All of them are particularly rich in potash, and contain but a small proportion of phosphoric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1829 an English chemist discovered that matches on which had been placed chlorate of potash could be ignited by friction.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• manure