Sig

Description

Common name for urine. Urine, primarily composed of urea, was sometimes used in dyeing and tanning. Sig water was originally the name for a solution of stale urine. Now the term is used for a solution of soda ash, borax, or ammonia use to prepare the surface of leather for dyeing.

Synonyms and Related Terms

sig water; urine

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982