bi·tu·mi·nous \(ˈ)bī.|t(y)ümə̇nəs, bə̇.ˈt-\adjective Etymology: French or Latin; French bitumineux, from Middle French, from Latin bituminosus, from bitumin-, bitumen + -osus -ous 1. a.: having the qualities of bitumen b.of a mineral: having an odor of bitumen 2.: impregnated with, infiltrated by, or containing bitumen < bituminous shale > < bituminous paint > < a stretch of bituminous road > 3.: of or relating to bituminous coal < the bituminous production of the U.S. >