: a deep blue pigment consisting of a powdered glass that contains oxide of cobalt

Examples of smalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Asserting the global nature of this provincial picture, didactics explain how the red came from cochineal bugs in the Americas and the smalt blue from cobalt mined in Saxony. Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 21 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian smalto, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt — more at smelt entry 2

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smalt was in 1558

Dictionary Entries Near smalt

Cite this Entry

“Smalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smalt. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!