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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Bitumen \Bi*tu"men\, n. [L. bitumen: cf. F. bitume. Cf.
{B['e]ton}.]
1. Mineral pitch; a black, tarry substance, burning with a
bright flame; Jew's pitch. It occurs as an abundant
natural product in many places, as on the shores of the
Dead and Caspian Seas. It is used in cements, in the
construction of pavements, etc. See {Asphalt}.
[1913 Webster]

2. By extension, any one of the natural hydrocarbons,
including the hard, solid, brittle varieties called
asphalt, the semisolid maltha and mineral tars, the oily
petroleums, and even the light, volatile naphthas.
[1913 Webster]