spodium

noun

spo·​di·​um

ˈspōdēəm

plural -s

1

obsolete : a powder obtained as a product or residue of combustion (such as soot from melting metals or vegetable ash)

2

: bone or animal charcoal

especially : spent bone black from sugar factories used as fertilizer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek spodion, diminutive of spodos wood ash

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!