Hypertext Webster Gateway: "asphalt"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Asphalt \As"phalt\, Asphaltum \As*phal"tum\, n. [Gr. ?, of
eastern origin: cf. F. asphalte.]
1. Mineral pitch, Jews' pitch, or compact native bitumen. It
is brittle, of a black or brown color and high luster on a
surface of fracture; it melts and burns when heated,
leaving no residue. It occurs on the surface and shores of
the Dead Sea, which is therefore called Asphaltites, or
the Asphaltic Lake. It is found also in many parts of
Asia, Europe, and America. See {Bitumen}.
2. A composition of bitumen, pitch, lime, and gravel, used
for forming pavements, and as a water-proof cement for
bridges, roofs, etc.; asphaltic cement. Artificial asphalt
is prepared from coal tar, lime, sand, etc.
{Asphalt stone}, {Asphalt rock}, a limestone found
impregnated with asphalt.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Asphalt \As"phalt\, v. t.
To cover with asphalt; as, to asphalt a roof; asphalted
streets.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
asphalt
adj : covered with paving material [syn: {macadam}, {macadamized},
{macadamised}, {tarmac}, {tarmacadam}]
n 1: mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially
for paving but also for roofing
2: a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as
residue from petroleum distillation; consists mainly of
hydrocarbons [syn: {mineral pitch}]
v : cover with tar or asphalt, of roads [syn: {tar}]
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