bitumen Hear it!

bitumen definition

bi·tu·men (bi to̵̅o̅′mən, bī-; -tyo̵̅o̅′-)

noun

  1. Obsolete asphalt found in a natural state
  2. any of various black, combustible, solid to semisolid mixtures of hydrocarbons that are usually obtained from the distillation of petroleum, used to make roofing materials, sealants, paints, etc.

Etymology: L < Celt (or ? Oscan-Umbrian) < IE *gwet-, resin > Sans jatu, gum, Bret bezuen, birch

Related Forms:

  • bituminoid bi·tu′·mi·noid′ (-mə no̵id′) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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