Bituminous

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to or having the characteristics of a dark, thick substance derived from coal or oil, often used in construction and roofing to provide waterproofing and durability
2. Describing a material that is either made of or similar to a viscous, black compound obtained from fossil fuels, commonly utilized for its adhesive properties in asphalt and roofing applications
3. Having the quality of containing a sticky, tar-like substance derived from fossil fuels used for sealing and paving

Etymology: "Bituminous" comes to English from French "bitumineux," and the ancient root beneath it is "bitumen," a Latin word for a sticky, tar-like substance. Latin borrowed "bitumen" for the naturally occurring material that the ancient world knew from seeps and pits, and it was prized for sealing boats, walls, and containers. The Latin noun carried the substance's own name into the adjective, so "bituminous" describes anything that is made of, or behaves like, that material. The adjective is simply the bitumen word with a suffix, "-ous," meaning "full of" or "having the character of." That makes it a plain descriptive formation rather than a coinage with a dramatic backstory. Its meaning has stayed close to its origin, applied to the dark, sticky material that coal and oil can yield and that builders still use to keep water out.

Synonyms: asphaltic, coal-like