Noun
Mineral pitch, Jews' pitch, or compact native bitumen. It is brittle, of a black or brown color and high luster on a surface of fracture; it melts and burns when heated, leaving no residue. It occurs on the surface and shores of the Dead Sea, which is therefore called Asphaltites, or the Asphaltic Lake. It is found also in many parts of Asia, Europe, and America. See Bitumen.
A composition of bitumen, pitch, lime, and gravel, used for forming pavements, and as a water-proof cement for bridges, roofs, etc.; asphaltic cement. Artificial asphalt is prepared from coal tar, lime, sand, etc.
Source: Webster's dictionarySome printmakers use oil/tar based asphaltum citation or bitumen as hard ground, although often bitumen is used to protect steel plates from rust and copper plates from aging. Source: Internet
When bitumen is mixed with clay it is usually called asphaltum. citation The earlier word 'asphaltum' is now archaic and not commonly used. Source: Internet