oiler

[ oi-ler ]

/ ˈɔɪ lər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oiler ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that oils.

a worker employed to oil machinery.

any of several devices, other than pressure devices, for feeding lubricating oil to a bearing.

an oilcan.

Often oilers. an oilskin garment, especially a coat.

a ship using oil as fuel.

oil tanker.

an oil well.

Nearby words

oilcloth, oilcup, oildale, oiled, oiled silk, oiler, oilfield, oilfired, oilfish, oilgas, oillet

Origin of oiler

First recorded in 1545–55; oil + -er¹

Definition for oiler (2 of 2)

oil

[ oil ]

/ ɔɪl /

noun

any of a large class of substances typically unctuous, viscous, combustible, liquid at ordinary temperatures, and soluble in ether or alcohol but not in water: used for anointing, perfuming, lubricating, illuminating, heating, etc.

a substance of this or similar consistency.

refined or crude petroleum.

Painting.

Informal. unctuous hypocrisy; flattery.

an oilskin garment.

Australian and New Zealand Slang. facts or news; information: good oil.

verb (used with object)

to smear, lubricate, or supply with oil.

to bribe.

to make unctuous or smooth: to oil his words.

to convert into oil by melting, as butter.

adjective

pertaining to or resembling oil.

using oil, especially as a fuel: an oil furnace.

concerned with the production or use of oil: an offshore oil rig.

made with oil.

obtained from oil.

Origin of oil

1125–75; Middle English olie, oile < Old French < Latin oleum, olīvum (olive) oil < *oleivum (cf. Deus) < dialectal Greek *élaiwon (Attic élaion), derivative of *elaíwā olive

Related forms

oil·less, adjectiveoil·less·ness, nounoil·like, adjectivere·oil, verb

self-oil·ing, adjectiveun·oil·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oiler

Neville, working frantically to clear the pumps, yelled to the oiler to leave the throttle and come to him.
The Best Short Stories of 1917|Various
Oiler did not answer him but yelled to Shawn, "Hold her steady and fast!"
Shawn of Skarrow|James Tandy Ellis
They engage the flagship with signals, then steam alongside an oiler to take fuel for the return voyage.
Merchantmen-at-Arms|David W. Bone
Our oiler of troubled waters followed, and there was assurance of a brief lull.
Our Next-Door Neighbors|Belle Kanaris Maniates

He said nothing to the oiler, but seated himself on the sofa, and observed his movements.
On The Blockade|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for oiler (1 of 2)

oiler

/ (ˈɔɪlə) /

noun

a person, device, etc, that lubricates or supplies oil

an oil tanker

an oil well

British Dictionary definitions for oiler (2 of 2)

oil

/ (ɔɪl) /

noun

any of a number of viscous liquids with a smooth sticky feel. They are usually flammable, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and are obtained from plants and animals, from mineral deposits, and by synthesis. They are used as lubricants, fuels, perfumes, foodstuffs, and raw materials for chemicalsSee also essential oil, fixed oil

another name for petroleum
(as modifier)an oil engine; an oil rig

Also called: lubricating oil any of a number of substances usually derived from petroleum and used for lubrication
(in combination)an oilcan; an oilstone
(as modifier)an oil pump

Also called: fuel oil a petroleum product used as a fuel in domestic heating, industrial furnaces, marine engines, etc

British

paraffin, esp when used as a domestic fuel
(as modifier)an oil lamp; an oil stove

any substance of a consistency resembling that of oiloil of vitriol

the solvent, usually linseed oil, with which pigments are mixed to make artists' paints

(often plural) oil colour or paint
(as modifier)an oil painting

an oil painting

the good oil or the dinkum oil Australian and NZ slang facts or news

strike oil

to discover petroleum while drilling for it
informal to become very rich or successful

verb (tr)

to lubricate, smear, polish, etc, with oil or an oily substance

informal to bribe (esp in the phrase oil someone's palm)

oil the wheels to make things run smoothly

See well-oiled

Derived Forms

oil-like, adjective

Word Origin for oil

C12: from Old French oile, from Latin oleum (olive) oil, from olea olive tree, from Greek elaia olive

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

Medicine definitions for oiler

oil

[ oil ]

n.

Any of numerous mineral, vegetable, and synthetic substances and animal and vegetable fats that are generally slippery, combustible, viscous, liquid or liquefiable at room temperatures, soluble in various organic solvents such as ether but not in water, and used in a great variety of products, especially lubricants and fuels.

Science definitions for oiler

oil

[ oil ]

Any of a large class of viscous liquids that are typically very slippery and greasy. Oils are composed mostly of glycerides. They are flammable, do not mix with water, and include animal and vegetable fats as well as substances of mineral or synthetic origin. They are used in food, soap, and candles, and make good lubricants and fuels. See essential oil mineral oil petroleum.

Idioms and Phrases with oiler

oil

see banana oil; burn the midnight oil; grease (oil) someone's palm; grease (oil) the wheels; pour oil on troubled waters; strike it rich (oil).