noun
bittern
The bitter liquid remaining after salt crystallizes from brine.
Workers drain the bittern after salt crystals form in the ponds.
Etymology
The name comes from bitter. After common salt crystallizes out, the remaining liquid contains other dissolved salts that give it a characteristically bitter taste.
More examples
- The salt crystals are separated from the remaining bittern.
- The bittern flows into a separate holding tank.
- Further processing of bittern can recover other dissolved minerals.
Forms
bittern
brine noun — Water containing a high concentration of salt.
Similar words
- mother liquor
- Liquid left after crystallization, not specifically after salt production.