potash

[pot-ash]

noun

1. potassium carbonate, especially the crude impure form obtained from wood ashes.

2. potassium hydroxide.

3. the oxide of potassium, K 2 O.

4. potassium, as carbonate of potash.

potash

/ ˈpɒtˌæʃ /

noun

1. another name for potassium carbonate, esp the form obtained by leaching wood ash

2. another name for potassium hydroxide

3. potassium chemically combined in certain compounds

   chloride of potash

potash

1. Any of several chemical compounds that contain potassium, especially potassium carbonate (K ₂ CO ₃), which is a strongly alkaline material obtained from wood ashes and used in fertilizers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

1615–25; back formation from plural pot-ashes, translation of early Dutch potasschen. See pot ¹, ash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of potash¹

C17 pot ashes, translation of obsolete Dutch potaschen; so called because originally obtained by evaporating the lye of wood ashes in pots

Example Sentences

The cost of fertiliser has rocketed, too - partly because of trade disputes with Canada, which has raised the cost of potash, a salt imported from Canada by American farmers and used in fertiliser.

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A prolonged dispute could have disrupted shipments of a range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

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A prolonged dispute could disrupt shipments of a wide range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

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The combination would also increase BHP’s holdings of potash, a widely used fertilizer, and coking coal used in steel production.

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Farmers often rely on potash as a fertiliser to replenish their field's potassium, but the price of the mineral can be quite volatile.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• manure