Asphaltum

Metals minerals and metallic preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A pitch-like bitumen identified through its earthly and watery source.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 7; facsimile PDF page 335.

Historical Definition

Asphaltum is a bitumen extracted from the mud of earth and water, resembling pitch.

Meaning

The definition combines an origin account with a resemblance. Mud associated with earth and water supplies the source; pitch gives a comparison for the resulting substance. The account should be retained as historical description rather than silently replaced by a modern industrial material specification.

Bitumen is the immediate comparison entry. Together, the two show how the dictionary can describe a material through texture, source and a familiar analogue. When reading a preparation, distinguish the named bitumen from any later oil, residue or other product made from it. The present gloss does not describe those subsequent transformations.

Places to Read

Bitumen. A pitch-like earthly material described through texture and origin.

Resina terræ. An earth resin name for sulphur.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 7; facsimile PDF page 335 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Asphaltum ; compare Bitumen, Resina terræ

See also. Bitumen; Resina terræ