asphalt

[ as-fawlt or, esp. British, -falt ]
/ ˈæs fɔlt or, esp. British, -fælt /

noun

any of various dark-colored, solid, bituminous substances, native in various areas of the earth and composed mainly of hydrocarbon mixtures.
a similar substance that is the by-product of petroleum-cracking operations.
a mixture of such substances with gravel, crushed rock, or the like, used for paving.

verb (used with object)

to cover or pave with asphalt.

adjective

of, relating to, or containing asphalt: asphalt tile.

Origin of asphalt

1275–1325; earlier asphaltos, -um < Latin < Greek ásphaltos, -on, akin to asphalízein to make firm, to secure; replacing Middle English aspaltoun ≪ Greek ásphalton

OTHER WORDS FROM asphalt

as·phal·tic, adjective as·phalt·like, adjective un·as·phalt·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for asphalt

British Dictionary definitions for asphalt

asphalt
/ (ˈæsfælt, ˈæʃ-, -fɔːlt) /

noun

any of several black semisolid substances composed of bitumen and inert mineral matter. They occur naturally in parts of America and as a residue from petroleum distillation: used as a waterproofing material and in paints, dielectrics, and fungicides
a mixture of this substance with gravel, used in road-surfacing and roofing materials
(modifier) containing or surfaced with asphalt

verb

(tr) to cover with asphalt

Derived forms of asphalt

asphaltic, adjective

Word Origin for asphalt

C14: from Late Latin aspaltus, from Greek asphaltos, probably from a- 1 + sphallein to cause to fall; referring to its use as a binding agent

Scientific definitions for asphalt

asphalt
[ ăsfôlt′ ]

A thick, sticky, dark-brown mixture of petroleum tars used in paving, roofing, and waterproofing. Asphalt is produced as a byproduct in refining petroleum or is found in natural beds.