borax etymology

Etymology:

The word "borax" is derived from:

  • Arabic: بُرَاق (buraq)
  • Persian: بوراق (burah)
  • Sanskrit: टंकण (tankana) or सुहागा (suhāgā)

Meaning:

Borax is a white, powdery mineral composed of sodium tetraborate decahydrate. It is commonly used as a flux in soldering and metallurgy, as a water softener, and in the production of certain glasses, enamels, and detergents.

Origin:

The name "borax" originally referred to a substance used as a flux in metalworking, which was obtained from the evaporation of water from certain saline lakes in Tibet and Persia. The word itself is thought to have originated in Arabic and was later adopted into English through Persian and French.

In Sanskrit, "tankana" and "suhāgā" refer to similar natural substances used as fluxes and cosmetics. Over time, the word "borax" became the standardized term for this type of mineral in English-speaking countries.

borax relate terms

  • boron

    Etymology The word boron comes from the Arabic word buraq which means white This

  • borax

    Etymology The word borax is derived from Arabic بُرَاق buraq Persian بو

  • carbon

    Etymology of Carbon Latin Carbo meaning coal charcoal Proto Indo European kwerp

  • mineral

    Etymology The term mineral is derived from the Latin word minera which means mine

  • Sabbath

    Etymology The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word shabbat pronounced shab BAHT

  • geometry

    Etymology The word geometry comes from the Ancient Greek word γεωμετρία ge

  • emphasis

    Etymology The word emphasis comes from the Greek word ἐμφάσις emphasis which

  • patent

    Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp

  • drive

    Etymology The word drive has its roots in Old English deriving from the verb drīfan

  • Antioch

    Etymology Greek Αντιόχεια Antiókheia Meaning By Victory or Fortres

  • shower

    Etymology The word shower has multiple etymological origins Old English scur mea

  • Angle

    Etymology The word angle comes from the Old English word angel meaning hook Mea