potash

Meanings

Noun

• The water-soluble part of the ash formed by burning plant material; used for making soap and glass and as a fertilizer.
• An impure form of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) mixed with other potassium salts.
• potassium.
• A class of potassium minerals, of similar applicability to potassium carbonate, such as being a fertilizer. (ie. potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide)

Verb

• To treat with potassium.

Origin

• , coined in 1598, equivalent to pot + ash. The literal translation is “pot ash”, because it was made by burning wood to ashes in a large pot. First attested in 1648. potassium, and potassa.