a. Also 7 -enous. [a. F. bitumineux, ad. L. bitūminōs-us: see -OUS.]
1. Of the nature of or resembling bitumen, consisting of or containing bitumen. (Sometimes with reference to the ‘burning lake’ of Hell.)
1620. Venner, Via Recta, Introd. 8. Which rise from sulphurous, bituminous, or metalline places.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. x. 133. The liquid flames of pitch and a bituminous bath.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 41. The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell.
1774. J. Bryant, Mythol., I. 279. In Seleucia … there was a like bituminous eruption.
1826. Scott, Woodst., xvi. Others swore they had smelt savours of various kinds, chiefly bituminous.
1830. M. Donovan, Dom. Econ., I. 135. This coal … has a bituminous fracture.
b. spec. in the scientific or technical names of various minerals, manufactures, etc., as bituminous coal, limestone, schist, shale; cement, mastic.
1830. Lyell, Princ. Geol., I. 219. Bituminous shales.
1842. Miller, O. R. Sandst., ii. (ed. 2), 55. Dark-coloured bituminous schist.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 755. The bituminous or black cement for bottle-corks consists of pitch hardened by the addition of resin and brick-dust. Ibid., III. 119. Bituminous limestone … containing various hydrocarbon compounds, diffusing by the action of fire a bituminous odour.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 67. Bituminous coals … burn … with a brilliant flame.
† 2. ? Cemented with bitumen. Obs.
1658. J. Burbery, Christina Q. Swedland, 112. The walls … are strong and bituminous and abound with ancient towers.
3. fig. (Cf. sulphurous.)
1878. N. Amer. Rev., 329. It is only about a hundred years since Jonathan Edwards dropped his bituminous rhetoric upon the tender sensibilities of the unconverted.
