a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing
Also called: mineral jelly, petroleum jelly
Word origin
C19: from petrol + Latin -atum-ate1
petrolatum in American English
(ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm)
US
noun
a greasy, jellylike substance consisting of a mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum: it is used as a base for ointments, in leather dressing, etc.
Word origin
ModL < petroleum + L -atum, neut. of -atus: see -ate2