0%

paraffin

par·af·fin
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [par-uh-fin]
    • /ˈpær ə fɪn/
    • /ˈpær.ə.fɪn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [par-uh-fin]
    • /ˈpær ə fɪn/

Definitions of paraffin word

  • noun paraffin a white or colorless, tasteless, odorless, water-insoluble, solid substance not easily acted upon by reagents, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons chiefly of the alkane series, obtained from crude petroleum: used in candles, for forming preservative coatings and seals, for waterproofing paper, etc. 1
  • noun paraffin Chemistry. any member of the alkane series. one of the higher members of the alkane series, solid at ordinary temperatures, having a boiling point above 300°C, which largely constitutes the commercial form of this substance. 1
  • noun paraffin Also called paraffin oil. British. kerosene. 1
  • verb with object paraffin to cover or impregnate with paraffin. 1
  • uncountable noun paraffin Paraffin is a strong-smelling liquid which is used as a fuel in heaters, lamps, and engines. 0
  • uncountable noun paraffin Paraffin wax, or in American English paraffin, is a white wax obtained from petrol or coal. It is used to make candles and in beauty treatments. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of paraffin

First appearance:

before 1830
One of the 36% newest English words
1830-40; < German < Latin par(um) barely + aff(īnis) connected + -in2; so called from its slight affinity for other substances; see affinity

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Paraffin

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

paraffin popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 78% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

paraffin usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for paraffin

noun paraffin

  • kerosene — a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained by distilling petroleum, bituminous shale, or the like, and widely used as a fuel, cleaning solvent, etc.

Top questions with paraffin

  • what is paraffin?
  • what is paraffin wax?
  • what does paraffin mean?
  • what does paraffin wax do?
  • where to buy paraffin wax?
  • where can i buy paraffin wax?
  • what is paraffin wax made of?
  • how to make paraffin wax?
  • how to melt paraffin wax?
  • what is a paraffin wax?
  • what is the meaning of paraffin?
  • what is the chemical formula for paraffin?
  • how to make paraffin wax from scratch?
  • how to use a paraffin bath?
  • what is the melting point of paraffin wax?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?