castor oil

noun

1. a colorless to pale yellow, viscid liquid, usually obtained from the castor bean by a pressing process: used as a lubricant, in the manufacture of certain soaps and creams, and in medicine chiefly as a cathartic.

castor oil

noun

1. a colourless or yellow glutinous oil obtained from the seeds of the castor-oil plant and used as a fine lubricant and as a cathartic

Word History and Origins

Origin of castor oil¹

1740–50; castor (perhaps variant spelling of caster ) + oil; perhaps so called because of its purgative effect

Example Sentences

The list includes everything from common favorites like coconut oil and dead sea salt to earth wax and fermented castor oil.

From Popular-Science

Just prior to the contest, he chugs an entire bottle of castor oil and tops it off with an egg.

From The Daily Beast

Carbolic Acid … liquid … oil … sweet oil … castor oil … aperient … Epsom Salts … white … white of egg.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, when castor-oil goes right, it is one thing; but when it goes wrong, it is another.

From Project Gutenberg

His general style is sincere; he means well; but his words, like cold-drawn castor oil, don't go down with overmuch gusto.

From Project Gutenberg

In some inland districts beans of the castor oil plant, which grows in great abundance, are a lucrative article of trade.

From Project Gutenberg

This is, if I recollect right, the castor-oil plant, and here are some of the castor-oil beans which Master Tommy has been eating.

From Project Gutenberg