montan wax
- noun
- Specialized
:
cera montana
- The manufacturer uses montan wax to produce high-quality floor polishes.
Examples
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Due to its high melting point, montan wax is ideal for industrial applications.
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He added a small amount of montan wax to the mixture to improve its durability.
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The manufacturer uses montan wax in their high-quality polishes.
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Can you find some montan wax for the project?
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Due to its high melting point, montan wax is ideal for industrial applications.
-
The manufacturer uses montan wax to produce high-quality floor polishes.
-
He added a small amount of montan wax to the mixture to improve its durability.
Synonyms
187
2.8
A solid natural material that bees make, used to make candles and polish things
A waxy substance found with oil underground and used to make candles
A natural firm material found near oil that is used to make candles
Surface Forms
Morphology
montan + wax
The noun 'wax' denotes a material and the compound pattern 'X wax' normally signals a subtype, so structurally the meaning (a particular kind of wax) is predictable. However, 'montan' is an obscure technical modifier not known to typical B1 learners and does not transparently convey its source (lignite/mining) without specialized knowledge, so the overall meaning is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Montan wax may come from the word montan meaning 'of the mountain' or 'from mines' and wax meaning the substance. It was first made from lignite, a type of brown coal, and other minerals dug from the ground, so the name gives a clear image of a hard wax 'from the earth' and explains why we use it for polishes and industrial products.