[bahy-too-muh
n, -tyoo-, bi-, bich-oo-] 
| 1. | any of various natural substances, as asphalt, maltha, or gilsonite, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons. |
| 2. | (formerly) an asphalt of Asia Minor used as cement and mortar. |
[bahy-too-muh-noid, -tyoo-, bi-] , adjective | bi·tu·men (bĭ-tōō'mən, -tyōō'-, bī-) n. Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances, occurring naturally or obtained by distillation from coal or petroleum, that are a component of asphalt and tar and are used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing. [Middle English bithumen, a mineral pitch from the Near East, from Latin bitūmen, perhaps of Celtic origin.] bi·tu'mi·noid' (-mə-noid') adj. |
bitumen (bĭ-t 'mən) Pronunciation Key
Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances found in asphalt and tar. Bitumens occur naturally or are produced from petroleum and coal. |