petrolizationn.
/ˌpɛtrəlʌɪˈzeɪʃn/, /ˌpɛtrl̩ʌɪˈzeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˈˌpɛtrələˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˈˌpɛtrəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/ The covering of water with a surface film of oil in order to kill mosquito larvae.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > pest control > [noun] > oiling water to kill mosquito larvae
petrolization1901
petrolage1904
petrolizing1930
1901 L. O. Howard Mosquitoes 193 The petrolization of mosquito-breeding pools is one of the most important measures to be taken in the warfare against mosquitoes.
1930 I. J. Kligler Epidemiol. & Control of Malaria vii. 144 Petrolization and petrolizing mixtures.—One of the most important and useful methods of antilarval control is the oiling of the surface of breeding-places.
1958 F. S. Bodenheimer Animal Ecol. To-day iii. 96 Since the inauguration of regular petrolization of all cisterns, in 1919, Jerusalem freed itself of malaria.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1901