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paraffin Definition

par·af·fin (par′ə fin)

noun

  1. 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.
  2. Chem. any alkane
  3. Brit. kerosene

Etymology: Ger < L parum, too little + affinis, akin (see affinity): from its chemical inertness

transitive verb

to coat or impregnate with paraffin

paraffin Related Forms
par′·af·fin′ic adjective
paraffin Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • chlorinate: It provides general information, scientific information and details of associated issues for chlorine, chlorinated solvents and chlorinated paraffins.
  • embed: METHODS: Paraffin embedded tissues from 100 gastric cancers were evaluated.
  • pour: The colonial police used methods like slicing off ears, flogging until death and pouring paraffin over suspects who were then set alight.
  • use: Avoid using paraffin or bottled gas heaters - they produce a liter of water for every liter of fuel used.
  • handle: The pump system handles both paraffin or diesel fuel with only minor adjustment required of the fuel/air compressor.
  • include: Today I managed to phone the Lab of a company that manufactures waxes, including the paraffin / beeswax mixture I use.

Preposition: over

  • suspect: The colonial police used methods like slicing off ears, flogging until death and pouring paraffin over suspects who were then set alight.

Adjective modifier

  • liquid: Ingredients: Yellow soft paraffin, wool fat, liquid paraffin.
  • soft: Ingredients: Yellow soft paraffin, wool fat, liquid paraffin.
  • yellow: Ingredients: Yellow soft paraffin, wool fat, liquid paraffin.
  • white: However we had it in a base of soft white paraffin.
  • warm: Lower legs are treated to a therapeutic massage with warm cream and then feet are dipped in warm paraffin for intense moisturizing.

Modifies a noun

  • gauze: These dressings do have minimal problems of adherence and are far superior to the paraffin gauze products, but are very expensive.
  • wax: In order to reduce our paraffin wax dip stock.. .
  • heater: In the middle there's my paraffin heater, which keeps the cold out.
  • lamp: A paraffin blow lamp, marked with the Governor trade mark.
  • dressing: The author has found that the extent of non-adherence depends on the type of paraffin gauze dressings used and the number of layers applied.
  • stove: Water took ages to heat up on the paraffin stoves, which invariably blocked up.

Noun used with modifier

  • liquid: Fecal lubricants Liquid paraffin is indigestible and absorbed only to a small extent.
  • buying: When buying paraffin, look for the special symbol with the number BS 2869 CI on the pump or tank.