: a deep blue pigment consisting of a powdered glass that contains oxide of cobalt

Examples of smalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Asserting the global nature of this provincial picture, didactics explain how the red came from cochineal bugs in the Americas and the smalt blue from cobalt mined in Saxony. Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 21 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smalt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian smalto, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt — more at smelt entry 2

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smalt was in 1558

Dictionary Entries Near smalt

Cite this Entry

“Smalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smalt. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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