tall oil

[ tahl ]

noun

1. a resinous secondary product resulting from the manufacture of chemical wood pulp: used in the manufacture of soaps, paints, etc.

tall oil

noun

1. any of various oily liquid mixtures obtained by acidifying the liquor resulting from the treatment of wood pulp with sodium hydroxide: it contains chiefly rosin acids and fatty acids and is used in making soaps and lubricants

Word History and Origins

Origin of tall oil¹

1925–30; < Swedish tallolja, equivalent to tall pine (cognate with Old Norse thǫll young pine tree) + olja oil

Word History and Origins

Origin of tall oil¹

C20: partial translation of German Tallöl, from Swedish tallolja, from tall pine + olja oil

Example Sentences

In 1984, eight miles off the coast of Southern California, the 700-foot tall oil platform, Eureka, was anchored into the depths of the Pacific.

From National Geographic

In other words, distributors could sell fuel in 2020 which is 90 percent diesel and only 10 percent product from tall oil, and yet still meet the 20 percent renewable target.

From Reuters

Still, Hercules boasted a $5 million payroll and produced more than 100 products including crude tall oil wax emulsions and polyamides.

From Washington Times

The 4.3 metre tall oil on canvas painting shows George looking up to heaven as he refuses to worship Pagan idols.

From BBC

These ingredients have the benefit of being renewable and not derived from fossil fuels, but they could pose a problem if the stearine and tall oil were not harvested sustainably.

From Washington Post