paraffin

plural paraffins · alternative dated paraffine

1. IrelandUKcountableuncountableA petroleum-based thin and colourless fuel oil.

   She poured paraffin on the dry floors and on the pandanus-mats, and then she set fire.

   1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, “chapter 57”, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   The paper found high levels of phased-out flame retardants like PCBs and PBDEs, as well as allegedly safe, newer replacements chemicals, such as chlorinated paraffins and organophosphates, across the globe.

   2023 October 18, Tom Perkins, “Flame retardant pollution threatens wildlife on all continents, research finds”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: kerosene

2. countableuncountablechemistryAny member of the alkane hydrocarbons.
3. countableuncountableParaffin wax.

present singular third person paraffins · participle present paraffining · participle past paraffined · past paraffined · alternative dated paraffine

1. To impregnate or treat with paraffin.
2. To embed in paraffin wax.