As a noun petroleum
is 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.
As an adjective abiogenic is
not produced or derived by means of living organisms or their processes.
petroleum
Alternative forms
* (archaic)
Noun
(en-noun)
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.
Synonyms
* oil
* gas
* gasoline
* petroil
* petrol
Derived terms
* packaged petroleum product
* petroleum coke
* petroleum ether
* petroleum jelly
* petroleum spirit
Related terms
* (l)
abiogenic
English
Adjective
(
en adjective)
Not produced or derived by means of living organisms or their processes.
Usage notes
* This term is intended to include materials derived from petroleum, coal, or sediments such as limestone. Although these materials derive from biological sources and have biochemical content, the chemical processes that produce these materials from dead organisms are purely physical. The role of man, also a living organism, is not counted, since the chemical processes used by man are external chemical reactions and not internal biochemical reactions.
References
