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tall oil definition

☆ tall oil

a resinous liquid obtained as a byproduct in the manufacture of chemical wood pulp: it is used in the manufacture of soap, varnishes, linoleum, etc.

Etymology: half-transl. of Ger tallöl, half-transl. of Swed tallolja, lit., pine oil < tall, pine < ON thǫll, young fir (< IE base *tal-, to sprout > tailor) + Swed olja, oil < MLowG olie < VL olium, for L oleum, oil

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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