petroleum ether

American  

noun

1. a flammable, low-boiling hydrocarbon mixture produced by the fractional distillation of petroleum, used as a solvent.

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petroleum ether British  

noun

1. a volatile mixture of the higher alkane hydrocarbons, obtained as a fraction of petroleum and used as a solvent

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Etymology

Origin of petroleum ether

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Determine the amount of pressure applied to the floor of the drum if the petroleum ether fills the drum to its top.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The molecularly lighter substances are given off, beginning with petroleum ether.

From Time Magazine Archive

Draw off the petroleum ether layer as closely as possible by means of a slender glass siphon into a separatory funnel of 500 cc. capacity.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.

Repeat extraction at least four more times, using 50 cc. of petroleum ether each time.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.

The acid is then neutralized and the paraffine extracted by petroleum ether.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889 by Various