borax

¹bo·rax

noun \ˈbȯr-ˌaks, -əks\

Definition of BORAX

: a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used especially as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent

Origin of BORAX

Middle English boras, from Anglo-French boreis, from Medieval Latin borac-, borax, from Arabic būraq, from Persian būrah

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with BORAX

addax, anthrax, banjax, beeswax, broadax, climax, coax, Colfax, death tax, earwax, flat tax, galax, hyrax, Lomax, lost wax, meat-ax, panchax, pickax, poleax, poll tax, relax, sales tax, sin tax, smilax, stamp tax, storax, styrax, surtax, syntax, thorax, toadflax

²borax

noun

Definition of BORAX

: cheap shoddy merchandise

Origin of BORAX

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1932

bo·rax

noun \ˈbō(ə)r-ˌaks, ˈbȯ(ə)r-, -əks\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BORAX

: a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used especially as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener and as a preservative

borax

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Sodium tetraborate decahydrate (NaBO 10HO), a soft, light, colourless crystalline mineral used as a component of glass and pottery glazes in the ceramics industry, as a solvent for metal-oxide slags in metallurgy, as a flux in welding and soldering, and as a fertilizer additive, a soap supplement, a disinfectant, a mouthwash, and a water softener. About 50% of the world's supply comes from southern California deserts, including Death Valley.

Variants of BORAX

borax or tincal