Borax

Origin

From Middle English boras, from Anglo-Norman boreis, from Medieval Latin baurach ("borax"), from Arabic بورق, from Middle Persian 𐭡𐭥𐭥𐭪. Compare Persian بوره.

Full definition of borax

Noun

1. A white or gray/grey crystalline salt, with a slight alkaline taste, used as a flux, in soldering metals, making enamels, fixing colors/colours on porcelain, and as a soap, etc.
2. (chemistry) The sodium salt of boric acid, Na₂B₄O₇, either anhydrous or with 5 or 10 molecules of water of crystallisation; sodium tetraborate.

Synonyms

• E285 when used as a preservative

Derived terms

• borax bead test
• boracic
• borise, borize
• boron

Adjective

1. Cheap or tawdry, referring to furniture or other works of industrial design.