paraffin
/ˈpærəfɪn/noun
( <英> paraffin wax) ［mass noun］
1- a flammable, whitish, translucent, waxy solid consisting of a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, obtained by distillation from petroleum or shale and used in candles, cosmetics, polishes, and sealing and waterproofing compounds石蜡。
1.1
- （亦作paraffin oil 或liquid paraffin）Brit. a colourless, flammable, oily liquid similarly obtained and used as fuel, especially kerosene〈英〉煤油。
词源
mid 19th cent.: from German, from Latin parum 'little' + affinis 'relate' (from its low reactivity).