tarmac
Meaning
a mixture of tar and crushed stones used as a material for making road surfaces, airport runways, etc.
the area of an airport where planes are parked, loaded, or refueled, especially the runway.
Structure
Usage
the old road was resurfaced with fresh tarmac.
our flight was delayed, so we waited on the tarmac for an hour.
the workers began laying the tarmac for the new runway extension.
Etymology
the word "tarmac" is a portmanteau and proprietary name originating in the early 20th century. it combines "tar," a substance known since old english times from proto-germanic origins, with a truncation of "macadam," the surname of john loudon mcadam. his method involved compacting layers of crushed stone, which was later improved by adding tar as a binding agent to create a smoother, dust-free surface. thus, "tarmac" logically evolved from a specific brand name for this tar-bound macadam into a generic term for paved airport and road surfaces.
Analysis
tar (old english, a dark, thick, flammable liquid); mac (shortened form of macadam, from the surname of john l. mcadam, a scottish engineer who pioneered a method of road construction).