noun

1. sodium borate, a white, anhydrous, crystalline salt, NaBO, with an alkaline taste, used as a flux in soldering metals and in the manufacture of glass, enamel, artificial gems, soaps, antiseptics, etc.
2. ☆

   Etymology: from the furniture formerly given as premiums by manufacturers of borax soap

   cheap, poorly made merchandise, esp. furniture

Etymology: ME < ML borax < Ar bauraq < Pers būrah