a white mineral, usually in powder form, used in making glass and as an antiseptic (= a substance that helps to prevent infection in wounds) 硼砂(作玻璃成分或用以给伤口消毒) Word Originlate Middle English: from medieval Latin, from Arabic būraq, from Pahlavi (a language used in an area controlled by Persia for about 400 years until 651 AD) būrak.