Lexic.us

Definition of Petroleum

1. Noun. A dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons.

Definition of Petroleum

1. n. Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc.

Definition of Petroleum

1. Noun. A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under earth surface. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Petroleum

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Petroleum

1. Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc. Petroleum spirit, a volatile liquid obtained in the distillation of crude petroleum at a temperature of 170 deg Fahr, or below. The term is rather loosely applied to a considerable range of products, including benzine and ligroin. The terms petroleum ether, and naphtha, are sometimes applied to the still more volatile products, including rhigolene, gasoline, cymogene, etc. Origin: NL, fr. L. Petra a rock + oleum oil: cf. F. Petrole. Cf. Petrify, and Oil. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Petroleum

Literary usage of Petroleum

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Law Reports by James Redfoord Bulwer (1872)
"They do not say that petroleum shall include such petroleum and its ... 4 to extend to all petroleum, then s. 6 is inconsistent, which gives the in- ..."

2. Methods of Practical Hygiene by Karl Bernhard Lehmann (1893)
"petroleum. § 445. American petroleum in its crude statel consists of u mixture of ... According to Thorner, a petroleum containing more than 0 per cent, ..."

3. Pharmaceutical Journal by Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (1868)
"As petroleum is frequently sold by druggists, it is important that ... It is not the mere keeping of petroleum that renders them liable, ..."

4. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1866)
"The breath had no odour of petroleum. In spite of the administration of tartar emetic and of tickling the fauces, no vomiting occurred ; neither feces nor ..."

5. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1919)
"In excessive doses petroleum has been known to cause faintness ... petroleum POISONING. Not a few instances of poisoning by petroleum have been recorded in ..."

6. Journal by Iron and Steel Institute (1903)
"Origin of petroleum.—J. Ohly f argues in favour of the mineral origin of ... G. Kraemer § discusses the genesis of petroleum with special reference to its ..."

Other Resources: