Middle English Dictionary Entry
alketrān n.
Entry Info
| Forms | alketrān n. Also alka(t)ran. |
| Etymology | ML, from Ar. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Mineral pitch, native asphalt.
Associated quotations
- [ a1400 Mirfeld Sinonoma (Pmb-O 2)9 : Alchitram: pix. ]
- [ a1400 Mirfeld Sinonoma (Pmb-O 2)10 : Alquitran: pix liquida. ]
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1035 : Þe clay þat clenges þerby [in the Dead Sea] arn corsyes strong, As alum and alkaran.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)66/20 : Aboute þat see [the Dead Sea] groweth moche Alom & Alkatran [F dalketran, vr. dalkoran].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)120a/a : Þat he be anoynted with alketran þat is pix nigra [*Ch.(2): blak picche; L alchitran que est pix nigra].