Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » bitumen

bitumen

Listen See in a sentence

(bi to̵̅o̅′mən, bī-; -tyo̵̅o̅′-)

noun

Obsolete asphalt found in a natural state
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.

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

Related Forms:

bituminoid adjective

See bitumen in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances, occurring naturally or obtained by distillation from coal or petroleum, that are a component of asphalt and tar and are used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bithumen, a mineral pitch from the Near East

Origin: , from Latin bitūmen

Origin: , perhaps of Celtic origin

Related Forms: