petroleum
nounattested in dialogue
- United States//pəˈtɹoʊliəm//
A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under the Earth's surface.
noun
- 1
A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under the Earth's surface.
petroleum-based products
Coal and petroleum do not occur hap-hazard in nature, but the aggregate occurrence of each product in any region forms a definite, limited horizon, which, in its continuance, is independent of the bedding plane.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Medieval Latin petroleum. Doublet of petrol.
Forms
- plural
- petroleums, petrolea
petroleum · A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under…
Petroleum · A place in the United States: An unincorporated community in…petting · The act of stroking or gently patting an animal.petty · Having little or no importance.