I. ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn, ˈtər-p ə m- noun
Etymology: Middle English terbentyne, turpentyne, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French terebentine, from Medieval Latin terbentina, from Latin terebinthina, feminine of terebinthinus of terebinth, from terebinthus terebinth, from Greek terebinthos
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth
b. : an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)
2.
a. : an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner — called also gum turpentine
b. : a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood — called also wood turpentine
II. transitive verb
( -tined ; -tin·ing )
Date: 1759
1. : to apply turpentine to
2. : to extract turpentine from ; especially : to tap (pine trees) in order to obtain turpentine