borax 1
/bawr"aks, -euhks, bohr"-/ , n. , pl. boraxes, boraces /bawr"euh seez', bohr"-/ .
a white, water-soluble powder or crystals, hydrated sodium borate, Na 2 B 4 O 7 ·10H 2 O, occurring naturally or obtained from naturally occurring borates; tincal: used as a flux, cleansing agent, in the manufacture of glass, porcelain, and enamel, and in tanning. Also called sodium borate, sodium pyroborate, sodium tetraborate .
[ 1350-1400; buraq burag; r. ME boras borax ]
borax 2
/bawr"aks, -euhks, bohr"-/ , n.
cheap, showy, poorly made merchandise, esp. cheaply built furniture of an undistinguished or heterogeneous style.
[ 1940-45, Amer.; of uncert. orig. ]