Nouns denoting substances

phosgene

a colorless poisonous gas that smells like new-mown hay; used in chemical warfare

 

Senegal gum

gum arabic from the vicinity of the Senegal river

 

beryllium bronze

a copper-base alloy containing beryllium

 

wrapping paper

a tough paper used for wrapping

 

silex

a pure form of finely ground silica

 

glycerinated gelatin

a gelatinous preparation made from gelatin and glycerin and water; used as a base for ointments and suppositories

 

trimer

a polymer (or a molecule of a polymer) consisting of three identical monomers

 

mortar

used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall

 

Duralumin

an aluminum-based alloy

 

chernozemic soil

a rich black loam of Russia

 

butyl

a hydrocarbon radical (C4H9)

 

cupronickel

a 60/40 alloy of copper and nickel

 

optical glass

clear homogeneous glass of known refractive index; used to make lenses

 

snow

a layer of snowflakes (white crystals of frozen water) covering the ground

 

surgical spirit

methylated spirit used in the practice of medicine (especially for cleansing the skin before injections or before surgery)

 

carnelian

a translucent red or orange variety of chalcedony

 

PSA

a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; PSA is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of PSA in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

 

dyewood

any wood from which dye is obtained

 

steel wool

a mass of woven steel fibers used as an abrasive

 

cast iron

an alloy of iron containing so much carbon that it is brittle and so cannot be wrought but must be shaped by casting