natron
/ˈneɪtr(ə)n
/ /ˈnatr(ə)n/noun [mass noun]
A mineral salt found in dried lake beds, consisting of hydrated sodium carbonate.Behind her, in baskets were ivory tusks, gold, blocks of incense, natron salts and uncut precious stones....
- Minor industries include the production of beer, cigarettes, textiles, and natron (a mineral), as well as the processing of sugarcane and meat.
- To purify their bathing water, they used something called natron, which just happens to be the salt, which is also used to preserve the corpse during mummification.
Origin
Late 17th century: from French, from Spanish natrón, via Arabic from Greek nitron (see nitre).