paraffin

[ par-uh-fin ]

noun

1. a white or colorless, tasteless, odorless, water-insoluble, solid substance not easily acted upon by reagents, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons chiefly of the alkane series, obtained from crude petroleum: used in candles, for forming preservative coatings and seals, for waterproofing paper, etc.
2. Chemistry.
   1. any member of the alkane series.
   2. one of the higher members of the alkane series, solid at ordinary temperatures, having a boiling point above 300°C, which largely constitutes the commercial form of this substance.
3. Also called paraffin oil. British. kerosene.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or impregnate with paraffin.

paraffin

/ ˈpærəfɪn; ˈpærəˌfiːn /

noun

1. Also calledparaffin oilesp US and Canadiankerosene a liquid mixture consisting mainly of alkane hydrocarbons with boiling points in the range 150°–300°C, used as an aircraft fuel, in domestic heaters, and as a solvent
2. another name for alkane
3. See paraffin wax
4. See liquid paraffin

verb

1. to treat with paraffin or paraffin wax

paraffin

/ păr′ə-fĭn /

1. A waxy, white or colorless solid mixture of hydrocarbons made from petroleum and used to make candles, wax paper, lubricants, and waterproof coatings.
2. Also called paraffin wax
3. See alkane

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraffin¹

1830–40; < German < Latin par ( um ) barely + aff ( īnis ) connected + -in ²; so called from its slight affinity for other substances; affinity

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraffin¹

C19: from German, from Latin parum too little + affinis adjacent; so called from its chemical inertia

Example Sentences

Permanent fillers like silicone or paraffin have been used but are not recommended, as they have been associated with long-term complications like necrosis and deformities.

From Salon

Before getting social housing in the early 1980s the family lived in a home with no electricity, using paraffin lamps for light.

From BBC

Photos of the substance began cropping up on a beachcombers group online, prompting speculation that it was fungus or mold, palm oil, paraffin wax or even ambergris - a rare and valuable substance produced by whales and used in the perfume industry.

From BBC

They erected partitions of wood, cardboard and cloth, built shacks within rooms and cooked on paraffin stoves.

From New York Times

One method involves treating porous lightweight aggregate -- the pebbles and small stone fragments that are ingredients in concrete -- with the paraffin.

From Science Daily