An aqueous solution of sodium silicate, a colourless glassy substance which solidifies when exposed to the air and is used for pickling eggs, and numerous industrial purposes. Also: (more fully potassium waterglass) an aqueous solution of potassium silicate used similarly.
| Example | Meaning |
Speaker 2: They used to put their eggs in some kind of slimy stuff (laughs)- Speaker: Water-glass. Interviewer: Slimy stuff? Speaker: Water-glass you-know, that's where you put your eggs in a crock. You ever seen a crock? Interviewer: They- Speaker 2: Those pottery things. Interviewer: Yeah. You put the eggs in there? Speaker: No, you put the water-glass, mix this stuff with the water and it was called water-glass. Interviewer: And what was the stuff? Speaker: Water-glass. What was it called. Interviewer 2: Hm. Interviewer: And what was in it? And that would preserve the eggs? Speaker: Yeah you'd keep your eggs from fall right through 'til spring. Interviewer: Really? Speaker: And you had to reach down in there and it was like jello. |
An aqueous solution of sodium silicate, a colourless glassy substance which solidifies when exposed to the air and is used for pickling eggs, and numerous industrial purposes. Also: (more fully potassium waterglass) an aqueous solution of potassium silicate used similarly. |