Relating to or resembling asphalt, a black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum, used primarily as a binder in road construction and roofing. The term 'asphaltic' often describes materials, surfaces, or characteristics that are comprised of, or similar in properties to, asphalt. This includes its waterproof nature, its ability to bind aggregates, and its tendency to soften under heat and harden under cold. It suggests a dark, often glossy, and durable quality. Beyond literal applications, 'asphaltic' can sometimes be used metaphorically to evoke feelings of weight, density, or the man-made environment.
Asphaltic meaning with examples
- The scorching summer sun softened the asphaltic surface of the newly paved road, causing tire tracks to temporarily imprint the blacktop. The workers had to pause their project to let the surface cool, an unavoidable consequence of the composition. The heat reminded everyone of the intense demands on building materials and the necessity of proper engineering.
- The construction crew worked late into the night, their headlights illuminating the freshly laid asphaltic pavement. The air filled with the pungent smell of heated asphalt and the rhythmic pounding of the compactors. The smooth, dark expanse reflected the ambient light, a testament to their focused effort and the final stage of the project.
- Examining the old city map, the artist envisioned an asphaltic expanse with dark, geometric shapes. These would represent the intricate network of streets and avenues that defined the urban layout. Her palette aimed to reflect this stark, almost metallic, landscape, creating a sense of relentless human construction.
- After the heavy rainfall, the bridge presented a gleaming, asphaltic surface. The water beads reflected the evening sky and headlights, making the road look slick and potentially hazardous. The maintenance team were alerted to monitor for potential standing water and to apply anti-skid treatments.
- In his poem, the author describes the protagonist's life as being weighed down by an asphaltic burden. It was a metaphor for the relentless pressures of city life, a solid foundation from which his efforts to advance seemed unable to take off. He felt stuck.