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oleo

[oh-lee-oh]
See more synonyms for oleo on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. margarine.
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Origin of oleo

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening of oleomargarine
Can be confusedoleo olio

oleo-

  1. a combining form meaning “oil,” used in the formation of compound words: oleograph.
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Also especially before a vowel, ole-.

Origin of oleo-

< Latin, combining form representing oleum oil
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for oleo

oil, shortening, margarine, decoration, drape, screen, shutter, shroud, shade, veil, drapery, spread, oleo, ghee, blind, rag, shield, film, hanging, jalousie

Examples from the Web for oleo

Historical Examples of oleo

  • This pressed fat is called "Oleo" hence the name "Oleomargarine."

    The Kitchen Encyclopedia

    Anonymous

  • Oleo oil and vegetable oils are being imported in large quantities and now England uses twice as much margarine as butter.

    Food Guide for War Service at Home

    Katharine Blunt, Frances L. Swain, and Florence Powdermaker

  • We are shipping about one-third of the lard which we produce, and large quantities of oleo oil for oleomargarine.

    Food Guide for War Service at Home

    Katharine Blunt, Frances L. Swain, and Florence Powdermaker

  • Impinguasti in oleo caput meum; Et calix meus inebrians quam praeclarus est.

    Where There is Nothing

    William Butler Yeats

  • Impinguasti in oleo caput meum, Et calix meus inebrians quam praeclarus est.

    Where There is Nothing

    William Butler Yeats

British Dictionary definitions for oleo

oleo-

combining form
  1. oiloleomargarine
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Word Origin for oleo-

from Latin oleum oil
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

Word Origin and History for oleo

n.

1884, commercial shortening of oleomargarine.

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oleo-

word-forming element meaning "oil" or "oleic," from Latin oleum (see oil (n.)).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
oleo in Medicine

oleo-

pref.
  1. Oil:oleic acid.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.