— naphthous , adj.
/naf"theuh, nap"-/ , n.
1. a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate, usually an intermediate product between gasoline and benzine, used as a solvent, fuel, etc. Cf. mineral spirits .
2. any of various similar liquids distilled from other products.
3. petroleum.
[ 1565-75; náphthas, perh. nafta, deriv. of * nab- to be damp; cf. Avestan napta- damp, Persian naft naphtha ]