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mineral oil

noun

  1. a colorless, oily, almost tasteless, water-insoluble liquid, usually of either a standard light density light mineral oil or a standard heavy density heavy mineral oil, consisting of mixtures of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum by distillation: used chiefly as a lubricant, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a laxative.


mineral oil

noun

  1. any oil of mineral origin, esp petroleum
  2. a colourless almost tasteless oily liquid obtained by petroleum distillation and used as a laxative Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)liquid paraffin


mineral oil

  1. A colorless, odorless, tasteless oil distilled from petroleum. It is used as a lubricant and, in medicine, as a laxative.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of mineral oil1

First recorded in 1795–1805

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Example Sentences

Suspend a shelf, breadbox or rack with wire around which is tied a piece of cotton cloth, saturated with a mineral oil.

This mineral oil also occurs in several of the lower tributaries of the Alleghany River, within the coal district.

The heat is so great that only a special high grade mineral oil will do.

They are then struck and oiled with heavy mineral oil and dried for stuffing.

Another source of mineral oil is shale, such as is to be found in vast deposits in the south-east of Scotland.

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