kerosene
or ker·o·sine
[ ker-uh-seen, kar-, ker-uh-seen, kar- ]
/ ˈkɛr əˌsin, ˈkær-, ˌkɛr əˈsin, ˌkær- /
noun
a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained by distilling petroleum, bituminous shale, or the like, and widely used as a fuel, cleaning solvent, etc.
adjective
using or fueled by kerosene: a kerosene lamp.
Origin of kerosene
1852; irregular < Greek
kērós wax +
-ene; formerly trademark
Words nearby kerosene
kernmantel rope,
kernos,
kero,
kerogen,
keroid,
kerosene,
kerouac,
kerplunk,
kerr,
kerr cell,
kerr effect
Example sentences from the Web for kerosene
British Dictionary definitions for kerosene
kerosene
kerosine
/ (ˈkɛrəˌsiːn) /
noun
Also called: paraffin
a liquid mixture consisting mainly of alkane hydrocarbons with boiling points in the range 150°–300°C, used as an aircraft fuel, in domestic heaters, and as a solvent
the general name for paraffin as a fuel for jet aircraft
Word Origin for kerosene
C19: from Greek
kēros wax +
-ene
usage for kerosene
The spelling
kerosine is now the preferred form in technical and industrial usage
Scientific definitions for kerosene
kerosene
[ kĕr′ə-sēn′ ]
A thin, light-colored oil that is a mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. The hydrocarbons in kerosene contain between 11 and 12 carbon atoms. Kerosene is used as a fuel in lamps, home heaters and furnaces, and jet engines.