Kerosene

Kerosene

Noun · /ˈkɛr.ə.siːn/

Definition

A thin, clear or pale yellow fuel oil distilled from petroleum or coal tar, used in jet aircraft, heating, lighting, and as a solvent; also called paraffin in British English.

Origin

Coined in 1852 by Abraham Gesner, a Canadian geologist and inventor, from Greek keros (wax) + the suffix -ene. Gesner coined the word to name the illuminating oil he had distilled from coal and asphalt. Paraffin (British English) comes from Latin parum affinis meaning having little affinity, referring to the compound's low reactivity.