Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
molten, melted (adjs.)
Molten is used primarily of liquid lava and metals liquefied by heat. Melted is used of snow and ice, butter and chocolate, and other common substances turned liquid by heat, and melted is usually the generic adjective as well. It is also used figuratively, as in Her heart melted at the sight of the puppy.
