alumen
|a-lu-men|
C2
/əˈluːmɛn/
mineral compound
Etymology
Etymology Information
'alumen' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'alumen', where 'alumen' meant 'bitter salt'.
Historical Evolution
'alumen' has remained largely unchanged from its Latin origins, maintaining its reference to a mineral compound.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'bitter salt', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a mineral compound used in dyeing and tanning'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a naturally occurring mineral compound, primarily composed of aluminum sulfate, used historically in dyeing and tanning.
The ancient Romans used alumen in their dyeing processes.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/05 22:06