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oil definition

oil (o̵il)

noun

  1. any of various kinds of greasy, combustible substances obtained from animal, vegetable, and mineral sources: oils are liquid at ordinary temperatures and soluble in certain organic solvents, as ether, but not in water
  2. petroleum
  3. any of various substances having the consistency of oil
    1. oil color
    2. oil painting
  5. Informal smooth, hypocritical flattery

Etymology: ME oile < OFr < L oleum, oil, olive oil < Gr elaion, (olive) oil, akin to elaia, olive

transitive verb

  1. to smear, lubricate, or supply with oil
  2. to bribe: chiefly in oil the palm (or hand) of

adjective

of, from, like, or yielding oil, or having to do with the production or use of oil

Related Forms:

oil Idioms

pour oil on troubled waters

to settle quarrels, differences, etc. by calm, soothing methods

strike oil

☆
  1. to discover oil under the ground by drilling a shaft for it
  2. to become suddenly wealthy

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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