Definition of paraffin Paraffin

/pɛˈɹʌfʌn/ - [perufun] - par•af•fin

We found 12 definitions of paraffin from 6 different sources.

What does paraffin mean?

Noun Plural: paraffins
paraffin - (British usage) kerosine
		paraffin oil
paraffin - from crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings
		paraffin wax
paraffin - a series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2)
		methane series, alkane series, alkane, paraffin series
		aliphatic compound organic compound that is an alkane or alkene or alkyne or their derivative
		butane occurs in natural gas; used in the manufacture of rubber and fuels
		amine, aminoalkane a compound derived from ammonia by replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent hydrocarbon radicals
		c2h6, ethane a colorless odorless alkane gas used as fuel
		heptane a colorless volatile highly flammable liquid obtained from petroleum and used as an anesthetic or a solvent or in determining octane ratings
		hexane a colorless flammable liquid alkane derived from petroleum and used as a solvent

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paraffin (Noun)
A petroleum based thin and colorless fuel oil, kerosene in US English.
paraffin (Noun)
Any member of the alkane hydrocarbons.
paraffin (Noun)
paraffin wax .
paraffin (Verb)
To impregnate or treat with paraffin.

paraffin
A homologous series of saturated hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n+2.
paraffin
A group of high molecular weight alkane hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n is between 22 and 27. Paraffin is also a technical name for an alkane in general, but in most cases it refers specifically to a linear, or normal alkane. It is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a melting point between 47C and 65C. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents but oxidizes readily.

paraffin
par′af-fin, n. a white, transparent, crystalline substance, obtained from shale, coal-tar, &c., much used instead of wax, tallow, &c. in making candles—so named as having little affinity—for an alkali—also Par′affine.—v.t. to coat or impregnate with paraffin.—ns. Par′affin-oil, any of the mineral burning oils associated with the manufacture of paraffin; Par′affin-scale, unrefined paraffin. [Fr.,—L. parum, little, affinis, allied.]