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Webster 1913 Edition

Potash

Pot′ashˊ

,
Noun.
[
Pot
+
ash
.]
(Chem.)
(a)
The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance,
KOH
, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; – hence called also
caustic potash
.
(b)
The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white crystalline (pearlash).

Webster 1828 Edition

Potash

POT'ASH

,
Noun.
[pot and ashes.] The popular name of vegetable fixed alkali in an impure state, procured from the ashes of plants by lixiviation and evaporation. The matter remaining after evaporation is refined in a crucible or furnace, and the extractive substance burnt off or dissipated. Refined potash is called pearlash. The plants which yield the greatest quantity of potash are wormwood and fumitory.
By recent discoveries of Sir H. Davy, it appears that potash is a metallic oxyd; the metal is called potassium, and the alkali, in books of science, is called potassa.

Definition 2024

potash

potash

English

Noun

potash ‎(countable and uncountable, plural potashes)

  1. the water-soluble part of the ash formed by burning plant material; used for making soap, glass and as a fertilizer
  2. (chemistry) an impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts
  3. (chemistry, archaic) in the names of compounds of the form "... of potash", potassium (for example, "permanganate of potash" = potassium permanganate)

Translations

Derived terms

  • acetate of potash
  • carbonate of potash
  • caustic potash
  • chlorate of potash
  • chromate of potash
  • citrate of potash
  • iridiate of potash
  • manganate of potash
  • nitrate of potash
  • muriate of potash
  • osmiate of potash
  • oxygenated muriate of potash
  • permanganate of potash
  • plumbate of potash
  • potash alum
  • potashery
  • potash-felspar
  • potash-granite
  • potash greensand
  • potash kettle
  • potash-lime
  • potash-mica
  • potash-water
  • silicate of potash
  • stannate of potash
  • stannite of potash
  • sulfate of potash, sulphate of potash
  • sulfurated potash, sulphurated potash

Related terms

References

  • Krueger, Dennis (December 1982). "Why On Earth Do They Call It Throwing?" Studio Potter Vol. 11, Number 1.

Anagrams

Etymology

From Dutch potasch (modern spelling potas), coined in 1598. The literal translation is pot ash, because it was made by burning wood to ashes in a large pot. First attested in 1648.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /pɒt.æʃ/

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