PETROLEUM


Meaning of PETROLEUM in English

n.

Pronunciation: p ə - ' tr ō -l ē - ə m, - ' tr ō l-y ə m

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin petr- + oleum oil ― more at OIL

Date: 15th century

: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.