What is the difference between petroleum and paraffin?

petroleum | paraffin |


As nouns the difference between petroleum and paraffin

is that 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 while paraffin is a petroleum based thin and colorless fuel oil, (kerosene in US English).

As a verb paraffin is

to impregnate or treat with paraffin.

petroleum

English

(wikipedia 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)

    paraffin

    English

    Alternative forms

    * paraffine

    Noun

    (wikipedia paraffin) (en noun)
  • (British) A petroleum based thin and colorless fuel oil, (kerosene in US English).
  • * 1919 ,
    • She poured paraffin on the dry floors and on the pandanus-mats, and then she set fire.
  • (chemistry) Any member of the alkane hydrocarbons.
  • paraffin wax.

    • Derived terms

    * chloroparaffin

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To impregnate or treat with paraffin