I. ˈbōrˌaks, ˈbȯˌra-, -_rəks noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin borax ) of earlier boras, from Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin borac-, borax, from Arabic bawraq, būraq, from Persian būrah
: the best-known sodium borate Na 2 B 4 O 7 .10H 2 O crystallizing usually in large monoclinic prisms that occurs naturally in this form as a mineral, that is also obtained from other minerals (as kernite or tincalconite) or from the boric acid of fumaroles by reaction with soda, and that is used chiefly in glass and ceramics, in agricultural chemicals, as a flux, as a cleansing agent and water softener, and as a preservative and fire retardant (as for wood) — called also sodium tetraborate
II. noun
( -es )
: cheap shoddy flashy merchandise ; especially : cheap poorly constructed ostentatious furniture of a nondescript or hybrid style
to develop guides for telling high quality from borax — Money
III. adjective
1. : characterized by cheapness, shoddy construction, flashiness, and nondescript or hybrid design
borax furniture
buying borax goods on the installment plan
2. : of, relating to, or dealing in cheap shoddy flashy merchandise, especially furniture
a borax credit store
also : marked by the ballyhoo and high-pressure salesmanship usually associated with the promotion and sale of such merchandise
borax advertising