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naphtha
[ naf-thuh, nap- ]
/ ˈnæf θə, ˈnæp- /
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noun
a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate, usually an intermediate product between gasoline and benzine, used as a solvent, fuel, etc.Compare mineral spirits.
any of various similar liquids distilled from other products.
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Origin of naphtha
1565–75; <Latin <Greek náphthas, perhaps <Iranian *nafta, derivative of *nab- to be damp; compare Avestan napta- damp, Persian naft naphtha
OTHER WORDS FROM naphtha
naphthous, adjectiveWords nearby naphtha
Naperville, napery, Naphtali, Naphtalite, naphth-, naphtha, naphthacene, naphthalene, naphthalize, naphthene, naphthol
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use naphtha in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for naphtha
naphtha
/ (ˈnæfθə, ˈnæp-) /
noun
a distillation product from coal tar boiling in the approximate range 80–170°C and containing aromatic hydrocarbons
a distillation product from petroleum boiling in the approximate range 100–200°C and containing aliphatic hydrocarbons: used as a solvent and in petrol
an obsolete name for petroleum
Word Origin for naphtha
C16: via Latin from Greek, of Iranian origin; related to Persian neft naphtha
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for naphtha
naphtha
[ năf′thə ]
Any of several liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons made by refining petroleum or by breaking down coal tar. Naphtha is usually flammable, and is used as a solvent and as an ingredient in gasoline. It is also used to make plastics.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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