paraffin /parˈə-fin/

1. (also parˈaffine) orig paraffin wax, so named by its German discoverer, Karl von Reichenbach (1788–1869), from its having little chemical affinity for other bodies
2. Generalized to mean any saturated hydrocarbon of the alkane series, gaseous, liquid, or solid, the general formula being C_nH_2n+2 (now more commonly alkane)
3. Paraffin oil

To treat with paraffin

paraffinˈic, parˈaffinoid or parˈaffiny adjective

paraffin oil noun

Any of the mineral-burning oils associated with the manufacture of paraffin, mixtures of liquid paraffin and other hydrocarbons

parˈaffin-scaleˈ noun

Unrefined solid paraffin

paraffin test noun

A test using paraffin to detect trace elements left on the skin of someone who has been in contact with explosives, etc

paraffin wax noun

A white transparent crystalline substance consisting of a mixture of solid paraffins, produced by distillation of shale, coal, tar, wood, etc

liquid paraffin

A liquid form of petroleum jelly, used as a mild laxative

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