borax
n.
5ME < ML borax < Ar bauraq < Pers bdrah6
1 sodium borate, a white, anhydrous, crystalline salt, Na2B4O7, with an alkaline taste, used as a flux in soldering metals and in the manufacture of glass, enamel, artificial gems, soaps, antiseptics, etc.
>2 5from the furniture formerly given as premiums by manufacturers of borax soap6 cheap, poorly made merchandise, esp. furniture