petrol
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- //ˈpɛt.ɹəl//
A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.
noun
- 1
A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.
1987 October 29, Advertisement, New Scientist, page 31, We were the first company to introduce unleaded petrol in Britain, opening our first pump in June 1986.
2003, S. Srinivasan, Automotive Mechanics, Tata McGraw Hill, India, 2nd Edition, page 149, At a crank angle 6° before the TDC, the electric spark ignites the petrol mixture.
He also admitted that when big trucks bring in petrol, they park along Langata Road[…].
2006 August, Economic Scenario, Pratiyogita Darpan, page 218, The increase in rates comes just a few days after India raised petrol prices by 9-2% and diesel prices by 6-6% which boosed inflation expectations in Indian economy.
- 2
informalA motor vehicle powered by petrol (as opposed to diesel).
However, I do feel entitled to criticise the car. There are lots of different versions: manuals and automatics; petrols and diesels; two-wheel drives and four-wheel drives, and it's possible to spend thirty grand on one.
Etymology
Borrowed from French (essence de) pétrole, from Medieval Latin petroleum, from Ancient Greek πετρέλαιον (petrélaion, “oil of the rock”), from πέτρα (pétra, “stone, rock”)+ ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil, any oily substance”). Doublet of petroleum.
verb
- 1
datedTo fill or supply (a vehicle, etc.) with petrol.
Forms
- plural
- petrols
- past tense
- petroled, petrolled
- past participle
- petroled, petrolled
- present participle
- petroling, petrolling
- third person singular
- petrols
petrol · A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.
petroleum · A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark…Petroleum · A place in the United States: An unincorporated community in…petting · The act of stroking or gently patting an animal.