coal oil

[kohl oil]

noun

Older U.S. Use and Canadian.

1. petroleum obtained by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal.

2. kerosene.

coal oil

noun

1. petroleum or a refined product from petroleum, esp kerosene

2. a crude oil produced, together with coal gas, during the distillation of bituminous coal

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal oil¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Related Words

• crude 
• oil 
• petrol 
• petroleum