paraffin — a white or colorless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal or oil shale, used in candles, waterproofing, and cosmetics
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a white or colorless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal or oil shale, used in candles, waterproofing, and cosmetics
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpærəfɪn/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother's beauty secret was dipping her hands in warm paraffin wax every week.
- The power went out, so we lit paraffin candles and pretended we were living in the 1800s.
- The camping stove runs on liquid paraffin, which burns cleanly and efficiently.
paraffin
NOUN[/ˈpærəfɪn/]
a white or colorless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal or oil shale, used in candles, waterproofing, and cosmetics
Making candles with paraffin wax
A seraphim plays mandolin, while paraffin candles shine within
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Paraffin derives from Latin, combining parum (little, scarcely) and affinis (related, akin). The term was coined in the 19th century to describe this hydrocarbon's chemical inertness and its minimal reactivity with other substances.
Breakdown
parum- (little, scarcely) + -affinis (related, akin), literally meaning 'having little affinity' or 'scarcely related,' referring to the compound's low chemical reactivity.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother's beauty secret was dipping her hands in warm paraffin wax every week.”
“The power went out, so we lit paraffin candles and pretended we were living in the 1800s.”
“The camping stove runs on liquid paraffin, which burns cleanly and efficiently.”
“She accidentally spilled paraffin wax on her homework and told the teacher her dog ate it.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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