/ ˈpærəfɪn; NAmE / (also ˈparaffin oil ) (both BrE ) ( NAmE kero·sene ) noun
[ U ] a type of oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel for heat and light :
a paraffin heater / lamp / stove
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from German , from Latin parum little + affinis related (from its low reactivity).