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

A prolonged dispute could have disrupted shipments of a range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

From BBC

A prolonged dispute could disrupt shipments of a wide range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

From BBC

The combination would also increase BHP’s holdings of potash, a widely used fertilizer, and coking coal used in steel production.

From Seattle Times

Farmers often rely on potash as a fertiliser to replenish their field's potassium, but the price of the mineral can be quite volatile.

From Science Daily

Rybolovlev, who made his fortune in potash fertilizer in Russia, described how his interest in art began almost accidentally, “through electricity and lightbulbs.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• manure