drying oil

American  

noun

1. any of a group of oily, organic liquids occurring naturally, as linseed, soybean, or dehydrated castor oil, or synthesized, that when applied as a thin coating absorb atmospheric oxygen, forming a tough, elastic layer.

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drying oil British  

noun

1. one of a number of animal or vegetable oils, such as linseed oil, that harden by oxidation on exposure to air: used as a base for some paints and varnishes

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Etymology

Origin of drying oil

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Father Nieuwland shook his head, decided it might be good for drying oil or possibly sheep dip.

From Time Magazine Archive

But at length a drying oil is mentioned in connection with works of art by Aetius, a medical writer of the fifth century.

From On the Old Road Vol. 1 (of 2) A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays and Articles on Art and Literature by Ruskin, John

Materials required are a palette, palette-knife, flat varnish brush, three sizes of bristle brushes, three sizes of table brushes, drying oil, mastic varnish, spirits of turpentine, Grecian varnish.

From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Young, Daniel

The workmen must do without sleep; we will use drying oil in the paint.

From Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Balzac, Honoré de

When pressed, they yield largely of pure palatable oil, as a drying oil for paint, and known as artists' oil.

From Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Saunders, William