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paraffin
[ par-uh-fin ]
/ ˈpær ə fɪn /
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noun
a white or colorless, tasteless, odorless, water-insoluble, solid substance not easily acted upon by reagents, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons chiefly of the alkane series, obtained from crude petroleum: used in candles, for forming preservative coatings and seals, for waterproofing paper, etc.
Chemistry.
- any member of the alkane series.
- one of the higher members of the alkane series, solid at ordinary temperatures, having a boiling point above 300°C, which largely constitutes the commercial form of this substance.
Also called paraffin oil .British. kerosene.
verb (used with object)
to cover or impregnate with paraffin.
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Words nearby paraffin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use paraffin in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for paraffin
paraffin
less commonly paraffine (ˈpærəˌfiːn)
/ (ˈpærəfɪn) /
noun
Also called: paraffin oil, (esp US and Canadian) kerosene a liquid mixture consisting mainly of alkane hydrocarbons with boiling points in the range 150°–300°C, used as an aircraft fuel, in domestic heaters, and as a solvent
another name for alkane
See paraffin wax
See liquid paraffin
verb (tr)
to treat with paraffin or paraffin wax
Word Origin for paraffin
C19: from German, from Latin parum too little + affinis adjacent; so called from its chemical inertia
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 paraffin
paraffin
[ păr′ə-fĭn ]
A waxy, white or colorless solid mixture of hydrocarbons made from petroleum and used to make candles, wax paper, lubricants, and waterproof coatings. Also called paraffin wax
See alkane.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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