maltha

noun

mal·​tha
ˈmalthə
variants or less commonly malthite
-ˌthīt
plural -s
: a black viscid substance intermediate between petroleum and asphalt

called also earth pitch, mineral tar

Word History

Etymology

maltha from Latin, soft mixture of wax and pitch, from Greek maltha, malthē; akin to Greek malthakos soft; malthite from maltha + -ite

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Dictionary Entries Near maltha

Cite this Entry

“Maltha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maltha. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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