bitumen

asphalt, mineral pitch

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A shallow metal pan of thick black mineral pitch, with a lifted palette knife drawing out a short sticky ribbon to reveal its tar-like consistency.

adjective

bituminous

bih-TOO-muh-nus/bɪˈtuːmɪnəs/

Containing, resembling, or relating to bitumen.

Etymology

bituminLatinasphalt, mineral pitch

+ousLatinfull of, having; characterized by

The adjective ending turns bitumen, “mineral pitch,” into a description of things having its nature. Bituminous therefore covers resemblance to asphalt as well as the presence of the substance itself.

Full entry

Related word entries

bitumen
bituminous