molten
UK: ˈməʊltən | US: ˈmoʊltən
adj. (of a solid) liquefied by heat
adj. (of metal, glass, etc.) in a liquid state due to extreme heat
adj. (archaic) past participle of "melt"
"Molten" originates from the Old English verb meltan ("to melt"), combined with the archaic past participle suffix -en (seen in words like "broken" or "spoken"). Over time, the suffix became obsolete in modern English, but "molten" survived as an adjective specifically describing liquefied materials (e.g., metal, glass). The word retains its vivid connection to heat-induced transformation, often evoking imagery of industrial or volcanic contexts.
The blacksmith poured molten iron into the mold.
Lava is molten rock expelled during a volcanic eruption.
The sculpture was crafted from molten glass.
The workers wore protective suits to handle the molten steel.
Ancient artifacts were sometimes made using molten bronze.