turpentine

[ tur-puhn-tahyn ]

noun

1. any of various oleoresins derived from coniferous trees, especially the longleaf pine, Pinus palustris, and yielding a volatile oil and a resin when distilled.
2. Also called Chian turpentine. an oleoresin exuded by the terebinth, Pistacia terebinthus.
3. oil of turpentine.

verb (used with object)

, tur·pen·tined, tur·pen·tin·ing.

1. to treat with turpentine; apply turpentine to.
2. to gather or take crude turpentine from (trees).

turpentine

/ ˈtɜːpənˌtaɪn /

noun

1. Also calledgum turpentine any of various viscous oleoresins obtained from various coniferous trees, esp from the longleaf pine, and used as the main source of commercial turpentine
2. a brownish-yellow sticky viscous oleoresin that exudes from the terebinth tree
3. Also calledoil of turpentinespirits of turpentine a colourless flammable volatile liquid with a pungent odour, distilled from turpentine oleoresin. It is an essential oil containing a mixture of terpenes and is used as a solvent for paints and in medicine as a rubefacient and expectorant Sometimes (esp Brit) shortened toturps
4. Also calledturpentine substitutewhite spirit not in technical usage any one of a number of thinners for paints and varnishes, consisting of fractions of petroleum terebinthine

verb

1. to treat or saturate with turpentine
2. to extract crude turpentine from (trees)

turpentine

/ tûr′pən-tīn′ /

1. A thin, easily vaporized oil that is distilled from the wood or resin of certain pine trees. It is used as a paint thinner and solvent. Chemical formula: C 10 H 16 .
2. The sticky mixture of resin and oil from which this oil is distilled.

Other Words From

• tur·pen·tin·ic [tur-p, uh, n-, tin, -ik], tur·pen·tin·ous [tur-p, uh, n-, tin, -, uh, s, ‑-, tahy, -n, uh, s], tur·pen·tin·y [tur, -p, uh, n-tahy-nee], adjective
• un·turpen·tined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpentine¹

1275–1325; late Middle English, alteration of Middle English ter ( e ) bentyn ( e ) < Medieval Latin ter ( e ) bentīna, for Latin terebinthīna, noun use of feminine of terebinthīnus of the turpentine tree, equivalent to terebinth ( us ) turpentine tree (< Greek terébinthos ) + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpentine¹

C14 terebentyne , from Medieval Latin terbentīna , from Latin terebinthīna turpentine, from terebinthus the turpentine tree, terebinth

Example Sentences

Highsmith often said that her mother had told her that she’d tried to abort her by drinking turpentine.

From Washington Blade

It tastes a little like turpentine, but loses this taste more and more the riper it gets.

From Project Gutenberg

He washed the cement floor with the hose, and while waiting for it to dry he rinsed his brushes in turpentine.

From Project Gutenberg

In addition, dyes, wood turpentine, dry ice and various insecticides are produced in Virginia.

From Project Gutenberg

If you put a little siccative de Harlem in it, or use any picture varnish thinned with turpentine, it will serve well enough.

From Project Gutenberg

Spirits of turpentine rubbed in around the base of the horns, will arrest the disease in its incipient stages.

From Project Gutenberg