Definition

1. Noun:
   • A waxy, white or colorless solid hydrocarbon mixture: "paraffin" primarily refers to a type of wax derived from petroleum, coal, or shale. It is odorless, tasteless, and burns with a clean flame, making it useful for candles, wax paper, and coatings.
   • A liquid fuel; kerosene (British usage): In British English, "paraffin" commonly refers to a thin, clear fuel oil (kerosene) used in lamps, heaters, and jet engines.
   • A saturated hydrocarbon (alkane): In chemistry, "paraffin" is a general term for alkanes, a series of hydrocarbons with the formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂, which are major components of petroleum and natural gas.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Wax):
  • She made candles from pure paraffin.
  • The cheese was sealed in a block of paraffin to preserve it.
• Noun (Fuel - British English):
  • We need to buy more paraffin for the camping heater.
  • The old lamp was designed to burn paraffin.
• Noun (Chemistry):
  • Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series.

Advanced Usage

• "Paraffin wax": The specific term for the solid, refined form used for candles and coatings.
  • Paraffin wax has a relatively low melting point.
• "Liquid paraffin": A highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics and as a laxative (also called ).
  • The lotion contains liquid paraffin to moisturize the skin.

Variants and Related Words

• Paraffinic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of paraffins.
  • The fuel has excellent paraffinic properties.
• Paraffin oil: Another term, especially in British English, for kerosene or for a light mineral oil.
• Isoparaffin: A branched-chain alkane.

Synonyms

• For the wax: wax, hydrocarbon wax.
• For the fuel (British): kerosene, lamp oil.
• For the chemical series: alkane, saturated hydrocarbon.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Paraffin embedding: A biological technique where tissue samples are embedded in paraffin wax for slicing and microscopic examination.
  • The biopsy sample was prepared using paraffin embedding.
• Paraffin heater: A heater that burns paraffin (kerosene) as fuel.
  • They used a paraffin heater to warm the shed.

Notes on Meaning

The meaning of "paraffin" depends heavily on context and regional usage. In American English, it almost exclusively means the waxy solid. In British English, the liquid fuel meaning is very common. The chemical term is used in scientific contexts worldwide.

Noun

1. (British usage) kerosine
2. a series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2)
3. from crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings