Any resinous exudate or extract from pines ; now also commonly a term for its volatile fraction, oil (or spirits) of turpentine.
Semifluid mixtures of organic compounds consisting of resins dissolved in a volatile {{link=oil">oil , turpentines can be distilled (see distillation ) into the volatile oil of turpentine and the nonvolatile rosin. The oil, a mixture of monoterpenes (see isoprenoid ), chiefly pinene, is a colourless, odorous, flammable liquid that does not mix with water but is a good solvent for many substances. Oil of turpentine is favoured over petroleum solvents as an oil-paint thinner, varnish solvent, and brush cleaner. Its chief use is now as a raw material for resins, insecticides, oil additives, and synthetic pine oil and camphor and as a solvent.