Paraffin Definition

părə-fĭn
paraffins
noun
paraffins
A white, waxy, odorless, tasteless solid substance consisting of a mixture of straight-chain, saturated hydrocarbons: it is obtained chiefly from the distillation of petroleum and is used for making candles, sealing preserving jars, waterproofing paper, etc.
Webster's New World
Any alkane.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
Kerosene.
American Heritage
verb
To coat or impregnate with paraffin.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Paraffin

Noun

Singular:
paraffin
Plural:
paraffins

Origin of Paraffin

  • German Latin parum little, not very pau-1 in Indo-European roots Latin affīnis associated with (from its lack of affinity with other materials) affined

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Latin paraffinum from parum (too little) + affinis (related, affinity). Therefore low affinity or being chemically neutral

    From Wiktionary

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