Lexic.us

Definition of Paraffin

1. Noun. From crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings.

2. Noun. A series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2).

3. Noun. (British usage) kerosine.

Definition of Paraffin

1. n. A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum, etc., by distillation. It is used as an illuminant and lubricant. It is very inert, not being acted upon by most of the strong chemical reagents. It was formerly regarded as a definite compound, but is now known to be a complex mixture of several higher hydrocarbons of the methane or marsh-gas series; hence, by extension, any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, of the same chemical series; thus coal gas and kerosene consist largely of paraffins.

Definition of Paraffin

1. Noun. (British) A petroleum based thin and colorless fuel oil, (kerosene in US English). ¹

2. Noun. (chemistry) Any member of the alkane hydrocarbons. ¹

3. Noun. paraffin wax. ¹

4. Verb. To impregnate or treat with paraffin ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Paraffin

1. to coat with a waxy substance [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Paraffin

1. A mixture of solid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It has a wide range of uses including as a stiffening agent in ointments, as a lubricant, and as a topical anti-inflammatory. It is also commonly used as an embedding material in histology. Pharmacological action: anti-inflammatory agent, topical, pharmaceutic aid, sclerosing solutions. Chemical name: Paraffin waxes and Hydrocarbon waxes (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Paraffin

paradysentery bacillus parae paraelectric paraelectricity paraenesis paraenetical paraesophageal hernia paraesophageal hiatal hernia paraesthesia paraesthesias

paraexciton paraexcitons parafermion parafermionic parafermions paraffin cancer paraffin embedding paraffin oil paraffin scale paraffin tumour

paraffin wax paraffined paraffines paraffinic paraffining paraffinoma paraffins paraffle

Literary usage of Paraffin

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Text-book of histology by Frederick Randolph Bailey (1904)
"Tissues should remain in xylol-paraffin from one-half to one hour; ... The tissue is next transferred to melted paraffin, where it remains from one to three ..."

2. Animal Micrology: Practical Exercises in Zoölogical Micro-technique by Michael Frederic Guyer (1917)
"Bo) The commonest cause of rolling is the hardness of the paraffin. This may sometimes be remedied by one or more of the following means: (1) warming the ..."

3. Plant Anatomy from the Standpoint of the Development and Functions of the by William Chase Stevens (1916)
"arranged over the bottom crust blow upon the surface of the paraffin to harden ... The more quickly the paraffin is cooled the more firmly it sets about the ..."

4. A Dictionary of Chemistry and the Allied Branches of Other Sciences by Henry Watts (1871)
"The following is a list of the principal memoirs relating to paraffin and ... Preparation of paraffin by the dry distillation of wood; its properties. &hw. ..."

5. Chemical Technology and Analysis of Oils, Fats, and Waxes by Julius Lewkowitsch (1904)
"Petroleum paraffin wax was, up to recently, chiefly obtained from North ... The proportion of paraffin wax in American petroleum varies from 2 to 4 per cent ..."

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