naphtha Hear it!

naphtha definition

naph·tha (naf′t̸hə, nap′-)

noun

  1. a flammable, volatile, oily liquid produced by the fractional distillation of petroleum: it is the fraction that boils between gasoline and kerosene and is used as a fuel, solvent, and illuminant
  2. petroleum
  3. any of several flammable, volatile liquids produced by the distillation of coal tar, wood, coal, and other carbonaceous materials

Etymology: L < Gr naphtha, naphtha, bitumen < Pers neft, pitch < ? IE base *nebh-, damp, water > Gr nephelē, cloud, fog

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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