'Paraffin' definitions:

Definition of 'paraffin'

noun

From crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings [syn: paraffin, paraffin wax]

noun

A series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2) [syn: methane series, alkane series, alkane, paraffin series, paraffin]

noun

(British usage) kerosine [syn: paraffin, paraffin oil]

From: GCIDE

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]