potash

[ pot-ash ]
/ ˈpɒtˌæʃ /

noun

potassium carbonate, especially the crude impure form obtained from wood ashes.
potassium hydroxide.
the oxide of potassium, K2O.
potassium, as carbonate of potash.

Origin of potash

1615–25; back formation from plural pot-ashes, translation of early Dutch potasschen. See pot1, ash1

Example sentences from the Web for potash

British Dictionary definitions for potash

potash
/ (ˈpɒtˌæʃ) /

noun

another name for potassium carbonate, esp the form obtained by leaching wood ash
another name for potassium hydroxide
potassium chemically combined in certain compounds chloride of potash

Word Origin for potash

C17 pot ashes, translation of obsolete Dutch potaschen; so called because originally obtained by evaporating the lye of wood ashes in pots

Medical definitions for potash

potash
[ pŏtăsh′ ]

n.

Any of several compounds containing potassium, especially soluble compounds such as potassium oxide and various potassium sulfates, used chiefly in fertilizers.
potassium carbonate
potassium hydroxide

Scientific definitions for potash

potash
[ pŏtăsh′ ]

Any of several chemical compounds that contain potassium, especially potassium carbonate (K2CO3), which is a strongly alkaline material obtained from wood ashes and used in fertilizers.