definitions

petrolatum

[ pe-truh-ley-tuh m, -lah- ]
/ ˌpɛ trəˈleɪ təm, -ˈlɑ- /
|

noun

a yellowish or whitish, translucent, gelatinous, oily, semisolid, amorphous mass obtained from petroleum: used as a lubricant, rust preventive, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a protective dressing, emollient, and ointment base.

Nearby words

petrol bomb, petrol engine, petrol pump, petrol station, petrol., petrolatum, petrolene, petroleum, petroleum benzin, petroleum ether, petroleum jelly

Origin of petrolatum

1885–90, Americanism; < New Latin; see petroleum, -ate2
Also called petroleum jelly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for petrolatum

British Dictionary definitions for petrolatum

petrolatum

/ (ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm) /

noun

a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressingAlso called: mineral jelly, petroleum jelly

Word Origin for petrolatum

C19: from petrol + Latin -atum -ate 1
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 petrolatum

petrolatum

[ pĕt′rə-lā′təm ]

n.

petroleum jelly
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.