mineral pitch

American  

noun

1. asphalt.

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mineral pitch British  

noun

1. another name for asphalt

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Etymology

Origin of mineral pitch

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Maltha, mal′tha, n. a thick mineral pitch: any similar preparation used by the ancients as a cement, stucco, or mortar.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Asphalt, a mineral pitch of a black or brownish-black colour, consisting chiefly of carbon; also a limestone impregnated with bitumen, and more or less in every quarter of the globe.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin

Bituminous coal contains a large amount of a tarry substance, a kind of mineral pitch or bitumen, which burns with a brilliant flame and a black sooty smoke, exceedingly rich in carbon.

From Nature's Miracles, Volume 1 Familiar Talks on Science—World-Building and Life. Earth, Air and Water. by Gray, Elisha

Abd-Allatif, an Arabian physician, describes mummy as a substance flowing from the tops of the mountains, and which mixing with the water that streamed down, coagulates like mineral pitch.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

Asphalt, or Asphal�tum, the most common variety of bitumen; also called mineral pitch.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various