petrolatum

[ pe-truh-ley-tuhm, -lah- ]

noun
  1. a yellowish or whitish, translucent, gelatinous, oily, semisolid, amorphous mass obtained from petroleum: used as a lubricant, rust preventive, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a protective dressing, emollient, and ointment base.

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Origin of petrolatum

1
1885–90, Americanism;<New Latin; see petroleum, -ate2
  • Also called petroleum jelly.

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British Dictionary definitions for petrolatum

petrolatum

/ (ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm) /


noun
  1. a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing: Also called: mineral jelly, petroleum jelly

Origin of petrolatum

1
C19: from petrol + Latin -atum -ate 1

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