petrol

¹

[ pe-truhl ]

noun

1. British. gasoline.
2. Archaic. petroleum.

verb (used with object)

, pet·rolled, pet·rol·ling.

1. British. to clean with gasoline.

petrol.

²

abbreviation for

1. petrology.

petrol

¹

/ ˈpɛtrəl /

noun

1. any one of various volatile flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, mainly hexane, heptane, and octane, obtained from petroleum and used as a solvent and a fuel for internal-combustion engines. Usually petrol also contains additives such as antiknock compounds and corrosion inhibitors US and Canadian namegasoline

petrol.

²

abbreviation for

1. petrology

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrol¹

1590–1600; < Middle French petrole < Medieval Latin petroleum petroleum

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrol¹

C16: via French from Medieval Latin petroleum

Example Sentences

His wife works for Suncor, a Canadian Petrol company that was among the first to operate in the tar sands.

From The Daily Beast

The pro-Russian activists rushed inside for shelter, and soon both sides were hurling petrol bombs at each other.

From The Daily Beast

“Petrol will disappear but the national park will last forever,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

It crowd-sources petrol prices and was widely used during a recent petrol shortage in Kampala.

From The Daily Beast

Gray smoke from its engine mingled with petrol fumes and a metallic smell of burning.

From The Daily Beast

Only the petrol tins they took for water right and left of their pathway up the cliff; huge diamonds in the evening sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Evidently the petrol had burnt out; but not so the fire, alas!

From Project Gutenberg

"Plenty of petrol—enough for all night, I should say," he reported.

From Project Gutenberg

Would you mind telling me how you are equipped with oil and petrol?

From Project Gutenberg

Hannam, assisted by Bickerton, Madigan and others, had laid heavy and firm foundations for the petrol-motor and generator.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crude oil
• fossil fuel
• fuel
• gas
• gasoline
• kerosene
• natural gas