bituminous, a.
(bɪˈtjuːmɪnəs)
Also 7 -enous.
[a. F. bitumineux, ad. L. bitūminōs-us: see -ous.]
1. Of the nature of or resembling bitumen, consisting of or containing bitumen. (Sometimes with reference to the ‘burning lake’ of Hell.)
| 1620 Venner Via Recta Introd. 8 Which rise from sulphurous, bituminous, or metalline places. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. x. 133 The liquid flames of pitch and a bituminous bath. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 41 The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell. 1774 J. Bryant Mythol. I. 279 In Seleucia..there was a like bituminous eruption. 1826 Scott Woodst. xvi, Others swore they had smelt savours of various kinds, chiefly bituminous 1830 M. Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 135 This coal..has a bituminous fracture. |
b. spec. in the scientific or technical names of various minerals, manufactures, etc., as bituminous coal, bituminous limestone, bituminous schist, bituminous shale; bituminous cement, bituminous mastic.
| 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 219 Bituminous shales. 1842 Miller O.R. Sandst. ii. (ed. 2) 55 Dark-coloured bituminous schist. 1875 Ure Dict. Arts I. 755 The bituminous or black cement for bottle-corks consists of pitch hardened by the addition of resin and brick-dust. Ibid. III. 119 Bituminous limestone..containing various hydrocarbon compounds, diffusing by the action of fire a bituminous odour. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. I. 67 Bituminous coals..burn..with a brilliant flame. |
† 2. ? Cemented with bitumen. Obs.
| 1658 J. Burbury Christina Q. Swedl. 112 The walls..are strong and bituminous and abound with ancient towers. |
3. fig. (Cf. sulphurous.)
| 1878 N. Amer. Rev. 329 It is only about a hundred years since Jonathan Edwards dropped his bituminous rhetoric upon the tender sensibilities of the unconverted. |