from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Paraffin \Par"af*fin\ (p[a^]r"[a^]f*f[i^]n), Paraffine
\Par"af*fine\ (p[a^]r"[a^]f*f[i^]n or p[a^]r"[a^]f*f[=e]n), n.
[F. paraffine, fr. L. parum too little + affinis akin. So
named in allusion to its chemical inactivity.] (Chem.)
A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and
odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum,
etc., by distillation. It is used in candles, as a sealing
agent (such as in canning of preserves), as a waterproofing
agent, as an illuminant and as a lubricant. It is very inert,
not being acted upon by most of the strong chemical reagents.
It was formerly regarded as a definite compound, but is now
known to be a complex mixture of several higher hydrocarbons
of the methane or marsh-gas series; hence, by extension, any
substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, of the same
chemical series; thus gasoline, coal gas and kerosene consist
largely of paraffins.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: In the present chemical usage this word is spelled
paraffin, but in commerce it is commonly spelled
paraffine.
[1913 Webster]
{Native paraffin}. See {Ozocerite}.
{Paraffin series}. See {Methane series}, under {Methane}.
[1913 Webster]