n.
n. (Chem. & Pharm.) A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. U. S. Pharm. [ 1913 Webster ]
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n. [ NL., fr. L. petra a rock + oleum oil: cf. F. pétrole. Cf. Petrify, and Oil. ] Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
Petroleum spirit,
n. (Chem.) A paraffin obtained from petroleum from Rangoon in India, and practically identical with ordinary paraffin. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. According to petrology. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who is versed in petrology. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Petro + -logy. ]