crude oil
–noun | petroleum as it comes from the ground, before refining. |
Also called
crude, crude petroleum.
Origin: 1860–65
crude (krōōd) adj.
crud·er, crud·est
Being in an unrefined or natural state; raw. Lacking tact or taste; blunt or offensive: a crude, mannerless oaf; a crude remark. Characterized by uncultured simplicity; lacking in sophistication or subtlety: had only a crude notion of how a computer works. Not carefully or skillfully made; rough: a quick, crude sketch. Undisguised or unadorned; plain: must face the crude truth. Statistics In an unanalyzed form; not adjusted to allow for related circumstances or data. Archaic Unripe or immature. n. A substance, especially petroleum, in its unrefined state.
[Middle English, from Latin crūdus; see kreuə- in Indo-European roots.] crude'ly adv., cru'di·ty (krōō'dĭ-tē), crude'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean in a natural state and not yet processed for use: crude rubber; native iron; raw cotton. See Also Synonyms at rude. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source