vegetable tallow

American  

noun

1. any of several tallowlike substances of vegetable origin, used in making candles, soap, etc., and as lubricants.

2. tallow tree.

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vegetable tallow British  

noun

1. any of various types of tallow that are obtained from plants

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Etymology

Origin of vegetable tallow

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vegetable tallow

The principal exports are fish, coarse black tea, cotton, vegetable tallow, sweet potatoes, and some wheat.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various

We are not aware that the vegetable tallow has as yet been imported into Britain to any extent.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 436 Volume 17, New Series, May 8, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

With regard to the uses of the vegetable tallow, Dr Macgowan observes: 'Artificial illumination in China is generally procured by vegetable oils, but candles are also employed....

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 436 Volume 17, New Series, May 8, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

They carried her off with other booty; but as she was so small, and did not look able to do much work, they sold her to her present master for three cakes of vegetable tallow.

From Mark Seaworth by Kingston, William Henry Giles

The chief articles exported by my captors were bees’ wax and camphor, honey, vegetable tallow, areca-nuts, trepang dawma, sharks’ fins, tortoise-shell, edible birds’ nests, and pearls.

From Mark Seaworth by Kingston, William Henry Giles