turpentine

/'tə:pəntain/

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Word: Turpentine

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Turpentine is a clear, strong-smelling liquid that is made from the resin of pine trees. It is commonly used as a thinner for paint and as a solvent, which means it helps to dissolve other substances. Turpentine can also be used in some medicinal products.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use turpentine when you want to thin paint or clean brushes after painting. It’s also used in some home remedies, but you should be careful and consult with someone knowledgeable about its medicinal use.
• How to use: If you're using it as a paint thinner, mix a small amount with your paint to make it easier to apply. If cleaning brushes, soak the brushes in turpentine and then wash them with soap and water.

Example Sentence:

• "After finishing the painting, I cleaned my brushes with turpentine to remove the leftover paint."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, turpentine can be discussed regarding its chemical properties or its historical uses in art and medicine. For example, "Artists in the 19th century often relied on turpentine for its effectiveness in making oil paints more workable."

Word Variants:

• Turpentine Oil: This refers to the oil derived from turpentine and is often used in aromatherapy and as a cleaning agent.
• Turpentining: This is a less common term that refers to the process of extracting turpentine from trees.

Different Meanings:

While turpentine primarily refers to the substance from pine trees, it can also be used metaphorically in literature to describe something that is strong or has a penetrating quality, similar to its smell.

Synonyms:

• Solvent
• Thinner
• Paint thinner

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "turpentine," but you might encounter phrases like "clean as a whistle," which emphasizes cleanliness, something you might aim for when using turpentine to clean tools.

Important Note:

Turpentine is a potent substance that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled in large quantities.

Academic

Noun

1. volatile liquid distilled from turpentine oleoresin; used as paint thinner and solvent and medicinally
2. obtained from conifers (especially pines)

Synonyms

• oil of turpentine
• spirit of turpentine
• turps
• gum terpentine