litharge

n. [ OE. litarge, F. litharge, L. lithargyrus, Gr. liqa`rgyros the scum or foam of silver; li`qos stone + 'a`rgyros silver. Litharge is found in silverbearing lead ore. ] (Chem.) Lead monoxide; a yellowish red substance, obtained as an amorphous powder, or crystallized in fine scales, by heating lead moderately in a current of air or by calcining lead nitrate or carbonate. It is used in making flint glass, in glazing earthenware, in making red lead or minium, etc. Called also massicot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -gies [ F. léthargie, L. lethargia, Gr. lhqargi`a, fr. lh`qargos forgetful, fr. lh`qh forgetfulness. See Lethe. ] 1. Morbid drowsiness; continued or profound sleep, from which a person can scarcely be awaked. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A state of inaction or indifference. [ 1913 Webster ]

Europe lay then under a deep lethargy. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]