n.
Pronunciation: ' bo ̇ r- ˌ aks, - ə ks
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English boras, from Anglo-French boreis, from Medieval Latin borac-, borax, from Arabic b ū raq, from Persian b ū rah
Date: 14th century
: a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na 2 B 4 O 7 ·10H 2 O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used especially as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent