turpentine

American  

[tur-puhn-tahyn] / ˈtɜr pənˌtaɪn /

noun

1. any of various oleoresins derived from coniferous trees, especially the longleaf pine, Pinus palustris, and yielding a volatile oil and a resin when distilled.

2. Also called Chian turpentine.  an oleoresin exuded by the terebinth, Pistacia terebinthus.

3. oil of turpentine.

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verb (used with object)

turpentined, turpentining

1. to treat with turpentine; apply turpentine to.

2. to gather or take crude turpentine from (trees).

turpentine British  

/ ˈtɜːpənˌtaɪn /

noun

1. Also called: gum turpentine.  any of various viscous oleoresins obtained from various coniferous trees, esp from the longleaf pine, and used as the main source of commercial turpentine

2. a brownish-yellow sticky viscous oleoresin that exudes from the terebinth tree

3. Also called: oil of turpentine.   spirits of turpentine.  Sometimes (esp Brit) shortened to: turps.  a colourless flammable volatile liquid with a pungent odour, distilled from turpentine oleoresin. It is an essential oil containing a mixture of terpenes and is used as a solvent for paints and in medicine as a rubefacient and expectorant

4. Also called: turpentine substitute.   white spirit.  (not in technical usage) any one of a number of thinners for paints and varnishes, consisting of fractions of petroleum

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verb

1. to treat or saturate with turpentine

2. to extract crude turpentine from (trees)

turpentine Scientific  

/ tûr′pən-tīn′ /

1. A thin, easily vaporized oil that is distilled from the wood or resin of certain pine trees. It is used as a paint thinner and solvent. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₆ .

2. The sticky mixture of resin and oil from which this oil is distilled.

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Other Word Forms

• turpentinic
  adjective
• turpentinous
  adjective
• turpentiny
  adjective
• unturpentined
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of turpentine

1275–1325; late Middle English, alteration of Middle English ter ( e ) bentyn ( e ) < Medieval Latin ter ( e ) bentīna, for Latin terebinthīna, noun use of feminine of terebinthīnus of the turpentine tree, equivalent to terebinth ( us ) turpentine tree (< Greek terébinthos ) + -īnus -ine ¹

Example Sentences

The US government was seeking a source of transportable Vitamin C for troops that didn't taste like turpentine.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

When she was stung by wasps, her mother spread turpentine on her injury and they pushed on.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2023

But Giovanni’s spirit hovers: A long shelf on one wall is lined with jars of pigments, tin cans stuffed with paint brushes and old turpentine cans.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2022

Some built his railways, worked in his coal mine or cooked turpentine from lumber.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2021

Amelia would know what turp—turpitune, turpentine, whatever the wretched word was—Amelia was sure to know what it meant.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson