a usu waxy inflammable mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, etc and used chiefly in candles, chemical synthesis, and cosmetics
Brit an inflammable liquid hydrocarbon obtained by distillation of petroleum and used esp as a fuel
no longer in technical use = alkane
[German Paraffin from Latin parum too little + affinis related; because it does not easily form compounds with other substances]