naphtha

[ naf-thuh, nap- ]
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noun
  1. a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate, usually an intermediate product between gasoline and benzine, used as a solvent, fuel, etc.: Compare mineral spirits.

  2. any of various similar liquids distilled from other products.

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Origin of naphtha

1
1565–75; <Latin <Greek náphthas, perhaps <Iranian *nafta, derivative of *nab- to be damp; compare Avestan napta- damp, Persian naft naphtha

Other words from naphtha

  • naphthous, adjective

Words Nearby naphtha

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How to use naphtha in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for naphtha

naphtha

/ (ˈnæfθə, ˈnæp-) /


noun
  1. a distillation product from coal tar boiling in the approximate range 80–170°C and containing aromatic hydrocarbons

  2. a distillation product from petroleum boiling in the approximate range 100–200°C and containing aliphatic hydrocarbons: used as a solvent and in petrol

  1. an obsolete name for petroleum

Origin of naphtha

1
C16: via Latin from Greek, of Iranian origin; related to Persian neft naphtha

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for naphtha

naphtha

[ năfthə ]


  1. Any of several liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons made by refining petroleum or by breaking down coal tar. Naphtha is usually flammable, and is used as a solvent and as an ingredient in gasoline. It is also used to make plastics.

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