Definition

Noun: - A volatile, flammable liquid obtained by distilling the oleoresin from pine trees: It is a colorless liquid hydrocarbon mixture, primarily composed of terpenes like pinene, known for its strong, characteristic odor. Its primary traditional uses are as a solvent for paints and varnishes, a thinner, and a source of certain medicinal compounds.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The artist cleaned his brushes with oil of turpentine.
  • Traditional medicine sometimes used diluted oil of turpentine as a topical rubefacient.
  • The strong smell of oil of turpentine filled the workshop.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Industrial Context: In technical specifications, "oil of turpentine" is often referred to simply as "turpentine" or "spirits of turpentine" to distinguish it from the raw pine oleoresin.
  • The recipe calls for genuine spirits of turpentine, not a petroleum substitute.

Variants and Related Words

• Turpentine (n): The common, shorter name for oil of turpentine.
• Spirits of turpentine (n): A traditional synonym for the distilled product.
• Gum turpentine (n): Specifically denotes turpentine distilled from the oleoresin (gum) of living trees, as opposed to wood turpentine.
• Wood turpentine (n): Turpentine obtained by distilling pine wood, not the oleoresin.

Synonyms

• Turpentine
• Spirits of turpentine
• Gum spirits

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Turpentine" vs. "Oil of Turpentine": In modern common usage, "turpentine" is synonymous with "oil of turpentine." However, historically, "turpentine" could also refer to the crude oleoresin before distillation. "Oil of turpentine" unambiguously specifies the distilled liquid product.
• Medicinal Use: While once used in liniments, its internal or extensive medicinal use is now considered dangerous and is largely obsolete due to toxicity.

Noun

1. volatile liquid distilled from turpentine oleoresin; used as paint thinner and solvent and medicinally