Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trademarked brand of petroleum jelly: "Vaseline" is a specific brand name for a type of semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, used as an ointment, lubricant, or moisturizer. It is a proprietary eponym, where the brand name is often used generically to refer to petroleum jelly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to protect the skin from chafing.
  • She used Vaseline to remove her eye makeup gently.
  • The mechanic put some Vaseline on the O-ring to create a better seal.

Advanced Usage

• "to Vaseline" (verb, informal/rare): To apply Vaseline to something.
  • He carefully Vaselined the hinges to stop them from squeaking. (Note: This is a non-standard, verbified usage derived from the trademark.)

Variants and Related Words

• Petroleum jelly (n): The generic term for the substance. "Vaseline" is a brand of petroleum jelly.

  • Petroleum jelly has many household uses.

• Petrolatum (n): The technical/medical term for petroleum jelly.

  • The ointment's main ingredient is white petrolatum.

Synonyms

• Petroleum jelly: The common generic synonym.
• Petrolatum: The technical synonym.
• Soft paraffin: A synonym used primarily in British English pharmacology.

Related Phrases

• Vaseline glass: A type of glass that contains uranium, giving it a yellow-green color reminiscent of petroleum jelly.

  • She collects antiques, including pieces of Vaseline glass.

• Vaseline lens (photography slang): A technique or filter used to create a soft-focus, dreamy effect, metaphorically likened to smearing Vaseline on a lens.

  • The portrait photographer used a Vaseline lens effect for a romantic look.

Noun

1. a trademarked brand of petroleum jelly