speiss

A worker examines the speiss formed during lead ore smelting.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A by-product in lead smelting: "speiss" is a mixture of arsenides and other compounds that forms as a by-product during the smelting of lead ores, especially those containing arsenic. It is typically a hard, brittle, metallic-looking substance.

Usage Examples

• (A by-product of lead ore processing.)
• (The arsenical residue from smelting.)

Advanced Usage

• "speiss formation": the process by which speiss is created during smelting.
  • The formation of speiss can be minimized by adjusting the furnace temperature. (The creation of arsenical by-products can be reduced.)

Variants and Related Words

• Speiss-like (adj): resembling or characteristic of speiss.
  • The residue had a speiss-like appearance, hard and metallic. (Similar to the by-product of lead smelting.)

Synonyms

• Arsenical residue: a substance containing arsenic left over from industrial processes.
• Smelting by-product: material generated incidentally during the extraction of metals from ore.

Related Idioms