kerosene

or ker·o·sine

[ ker-uh-seen, kar-, ker-uh-seen, kar- ]

noun

1. a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained by distilling petroleum, bituminous shale, or the like, and widely used as a fuel, cleaning solvent, etc.

adjective

1. using or fueled by kerosene:

   a kerosene lamp.

kerosene

/ ˈkɛrəˌsiːn /

noun

1. Also calledparaffin 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. the general name for paraffin as a fuel for jet aircraft

kerosene

/ kĕr′ə-sēn′ /

1. A thin, light-colored oil that is a mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. The hydrocarbons in kerosene contain between 11 and 12 carbon atoms. Kerosene is used as a fuel in lamps, home heaters and furnaces, and jet engines.

Usage

The spelling kerosine is now the preferred form in technical and industrial usage

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerosene¹

1852; irregular < Greek kērós wax + -ene; formerly trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerosene¹

C19: from Greek kēros wax + -ene

Example Sentences

Despite living without electricity and studying by the light of a kerosene lamp at night, he made it to the University of Cambridge, where he studied chemistry.

From Ozy

Living with his entire family in a one-room home with no running water or electricity as a child, the young Chibale studied at night by the light of a kerosene lamp and against all odds made it into Cambridge, where he studied chemistry.

From Ozy

He throws kerosene on the controversies that divide the nation.

From Time

Planes dropped kerosene bombs from the skies, according to witnesses and a 2001 report by an Oklahoma commission that studied the massacre.

From Washington Post

Currently, SAF costs between three and four times more than traditional kerosene fuel, while e-fuels can be between six and seven times more expensive than kerosene.

From Time

The Russians had developed a very powerful, very reliable, and relatively simple liquid oxygen/kerosene engine.

From The Daily Beast

The cozy days of lighting the Hofburg Palace with kerosene rather than electricity had come to an abrupt end.

From The Daily Beast

Franz Joseph lit the Hofburg Palace with kerosene lamps and viewed the telephone as a nuisance.

From The Daily Beast

He awoke to dogs barking and gunshots, he said, and turned on a kerosene lantern to see what was going on.

From The Daily Beast

Small homes often have only kerosene lamps to provide light, which spew toxins equivalent to two packs of cigarettes a day.

From The Daily Beast

A lack of processed candles and kerosene oil left only grease and wax to be utilized for making handmade candles.

From Project Gutenberg

Well refined kerosene oil gives a good light, but it is always dangerous.

From Project Gutenberg

In pushing splinters under his toenails, the lamp was upset, kerosene was spilled over his feet to catch fire.

From Project Gutenberg

They were lighted by smoking kerosene lamps, which but added to their unattractiveness.

From Project Gutenberg

A fine luster can be given to zinc by rubbing it with kerosene or a weak solution of sulphuric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crude oil
• fossil fuel
• fuel
• gas
• gasoline
• natural gas
• petrol