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oil of turpentine

American  

noun

  1. a colorless, flammable, volatile essential oil having a penetrating odor and a pungent, bitter taste, obtained from turpentine oleoresin by distillation: used in paints and varnishes, and in medicine as a carminative, vermifuge, expectorant, rubefacient, and, formerly, as a diuretic.


oil of turpentine British  

noun

  1. another name for turpentine

"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

Etymology

Origin of oil of turpentine

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A: Terpin hydrate, and expectorant made from oil of turpentine, was a popular cough medicine in the early 1900s.

From Seattle Times

The fear seized them in the back, but rubbing them with oil of turpentine gave them relief.”

From Project Gutenberg

It is usually sufficient to employ embrocations or stupes of equal parts of sweet oil and oil of turpentine, or of camphor liniment.

From Project Gutenberg

It is readily soluble in ether, benzol and chloroform, and with oil of turpentine it forms a fine transparent varnish which dries clear, smooth and hard.

From Project Gutenberg

It dissolves freely in hot oil of turpentine.

From Project Gutenberg