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petrolatum definition

☆ pet·ro·la·tum (pe′trə lāt′əm)

noun

a greasy, jellylike substance consisting of a mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum: it is used as a base for ointments, in leather dressing, etc.

Etymology: ModL < petroleum + L -atum, neut. of -atus: see -ate

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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