petrolatum

pet·ro·la·tum   (pět'rə-lā'təm, -lä'təm)    n.  See petroleum jelly. [From petrol.]

Main Entry: pet·ro·la·tum
Pronunciation: "pe-tr&-'lAt-&m, -'lät-
Function: noun
: a neutral unctuous substance that ispractically odorless and tasteless and is insoluble in water, that is obtained from petroleum and differs chemically from paraffin wax in containing unsaturated hydrocarbons or naphthenes as well asalkanes, and that is produced in several forms: as a : a yellowish to light amber semisolid mass used chiefly as a base for ointments and cosmetics, as a protective dressing, and inlubricating greases called also petroleum jelly, yellow petrolatum b : a white or faintly yellowish mass obtained by decolorizing yellow petrolatum and used similarly toit called also petroleum jelly, white petrolatum, white petroleum jelly

petrolatum pet·ro·la·tum (pět'rə-lā'təm)
n.
See petroleum jelly.

petrolatum

translucent, yellowish to amber or white, unctuous substance having almost no odour or taste, derived from petroleum and used principally in medicine and pharmacy as a protective dressing and as a substitute for fats in ointments and cosmetics. It is also used in many types of polishes and in lubricating greases, rust preventives, and modeling clay.

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