Bitumed

Smeared or impregnated with bitumen. Bitu'men, BITUME, n. [Fr. bitume; Lat. bitumen.] A mineral pitch, supposed to be formed in the earth by the decomposition of animal and vegetable substances. It has a strong pungent smell, and is found in all parts of the world, and is of different consistencies. In its most fluid state it constitutes naphtha; when of the consistence of oil or treacle, it constitutes petroleum, or Barb a does tar; when still harder, like cobbler's wax, or even tougher, it is called elastic bitumen; and when still further indurated, maltha or mineral caoutchouc; and in its last stage of desiccation, it is known as asphaltum. The ancients buildings. In the Bible it is called slime. Bit'ter-apple, Bit'ter-cucumber, Bit'ter- gourd, n. ( Bot .) A plant of the genus Citrullus , employed heated bitumen in the construction of their called colocynth is , colocynth, coloquintida . The fruit is of the gourd kind, having a shell enclosing a bitter pulp, which is a very drastic purgative. It is brought from the Levant. Bit'ter-cre , n . ( Bot .) See CARDAMINE. Bit'ter-end, n. ( Naut .) See BITTER. Bit'terfeld, a flourishing town of N. Germany, in Saxony, 16 m. S. of De au. It was founded by a colony of Flemings, whose descendants hold their property in common, and are governed by peculiar laws. Manf . Earthenware and cloth. Bitu'minate, v . a . To impregnate with bitumen. Bituminiferous, a . Producing bitumen. Bituminization, n . The proce of ferming bitumen. Bituʼminize, v . a . To form into, or impregnate with, bitumen. Bituminous, a. [Fr. bitumineux; Lat. bituminosus.] Having the qualities of, or containing, bitumen.