-ˈmȯrchəwəm noun
( plural capita mor·tua -wə)
Etymology: New Latin, literally, dead head
1. alchemy : the residuum after distillation or sublimation
2. : dross : worthless residue
3. or caput mortuum vi·tri·o·li -ˌvi.trēˈōˌlē, -ī : a red iron-oxide pigment made by calcining iron sulfate