barilla

Borrowed from Spanish barrilla.

barilla (countable and uncountable, plural barillas)

1. Any of several unrelated saltmarsh plants that were once burnt to obtain soda ash
2. The alkali produced from the plant, an impure carbonate of soda, used for making soap, glass, etc., and for bleaching.
3. Impure soda obtained from the ashes of any seashore plant, or kelp.
   • 1860, Andrew Ure, Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines, page 252:

     Good barilla usually contains, according to Dr. Ure's analysis, 20 per cent. of real alkali, associated with muriates and sulphates, chiefly of soda, some lime, and alumina, with very little sulphur.

• copper barilla

• air ball, airball