[bo.rax] n [ME boras, fr. MF, fr. ML borac-, borax, fr. Ar buraq, fr. Per burah] (14c): a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used esp. as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent
[2]borax n [origin unknown] (1932): cheap shoddy merchandise