asphalt
noun
- form of petroleum, primarily used in road construction
verb
- to apply asphalt, treat with asphalt
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈæʃfɑlt/ / /ˈæsfɑlt/ / /ˈæʃfɔlt/
noun
Etymology: From Late Latin asphaltum, from Ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος (ásphaltos, “asphalt, bitumen”). Displaced native Old English eorþteoru.
- A sticky, black to brown and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid, composed almost entirely of bitumen with small mineral particles, that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits.
“The mining of asphalt was big business in this area in the early twentieth century.”
“Felltham wrote in the beginning of the 17th century of the “Bitumated walls of Babylon;” the source of its supply, the fountains of Is, on a tributary of the Euphrates, still yields asphalt.”
- Ellipsis of asphalt concrete, a hard ground covering used for roads and walkways.
“Near-synonyms: tarmac, tarmacadam, blacktop, bitumen”
“Please hose off the asphalt near the top of the driveway if the trucks get lots of mud on it.”
verb
Etymology: From Late Latin asphaltum, from Ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος (ásphaltos, “asphalt, bitumen”). Displaced native Old English eorþteoru.
- To pave with asphalt.