ENGLISH
REFERENCE

molten

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈmoʊɫtən// UK //mˈəʊltən// molten Archaic

adj. describes metal or rock that has become a hot liquid because of extreme heat.

adj. reduced to a liquid state by heating. Typically describes substances with very high melting points, such as metals, glass, or volcanic rock.


SIMPLE

The volcano poured molten lava down the mountain.

CONTEXTUAL

Workers at the steel mill must wear protective gear to handle the molten iron safely as it flows into the molds.

COMPLEX

The Earth's outer core consists primarily of molten iron and nickel, the movement of which generates the planet's magnetic field through a complex dynamo effect.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English molten, from Old English molten, ġemolten (“melted, molten”), from Proto-Germanic multanaz, past participle of Proto-Germanic meltaną (“to melt”). Cognate with Scots moltin, Swedish multen.

Usage

Primarily used as an attributive adjective before a noun; rarely appears after a linking verb.

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