[par.af.fin] n [G, fr. L parum too little (akin to Gk pauros little, paid-, pais child) + affinis bordering on--more at few, affinity] (1838) 1 a: a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained esp. from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics b: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily
2: alkane 3 chiefly Brit: kerosene -- par.af.fin.ic adj