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turpentine Definition

tur·pen·tine (tʉrpən tīn′)

noun

  1. the brownish-yellow, sticky, semifluid oleoresin exuding from the terebinth
  2. any of the various sticky, viscid oleoresins obtained from pines and other coniferous trees; gum turpentine
  3. a colorless, volatile essential oil, CH, distilled from such oleoresins and used in paints, varnishes, etc., and in medicine; spirits of turpentine; oil of turpentine

Etymology: ME turpentyne < OFr terbentine < L terebinthinus, of the turpentine tree < terebinthus: see terebinth

transitive verb -·tined′, -·tin′·ing

  1. to apply turpentine to
  2. ☆ to extract turpentine from (trees)

turpentine Related Forms

tur′·pen·tinic (-tinik) adjective or tur′·pen·tin·ous-tīnəs

turpentine Synonyms

turpentine

n.

oleoresin, terebinth extract, Chian turpentine, spirits of turpentine, oil of turpentine, thinner, mineral spirits, paint thinner, turps*; see also oil.

turpentine Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: You may be able to clip off the small areas of affected hair, but never use turpentine or paint remover on your cat.
  • yield: A. pectinate ) Silver Fir This species yields Alsatian turpentine.

Adjective modifier

  • pure: The solvent we use is pure gum turpentine, a natural product itself - being distilled pine sap.
  • genuine: The first thing Vera stressed when making polish of any sort was to use only genuine turpentine.
  • real: Contains nothing but country rainwater, real turpentine, vegetable soap, British beeswax, and shiny carnauba.

Modifies a noun

  • substitute: A painting more than fifty years old may be safely wiped over with turpentine substitute applied lightly with a soft pad.
  • oil: Pinaceae ) from which turpentine oil is produced ( Todd 1967 ).
  • polish: To bring out the color in the tiles beeswax and turpentine polish can be used.
  • dermatitis: The incidence of turpentine contact dermatitis has declined in countries where legislation has resulted in the substitution of other solvents.

Noun used with modifier

gum: The solvent we use is pure gum turpentine, a natural product itself - being distilled pine sap.

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