■ noun
1》 a viscous liquid derived from petroleum, used especially as a fuel or lubricant.
↘petroleum.
2》 any of various viscous liquids which are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents and are obtained from animals or plants.
3》 Chemistry any of a group of natural esters of glycerol and various fatty acids, which are liquid at room temperature. Compare with fat .
4》 ~ paint.
5》 Austral./NZ informal information or facts.
■ verb
1》 lubricate, coat, or impregnate with ~.
2》 supply with ~ as fuel.
Phrases
~ the wheels Brit. help something go smoothly.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
Origin
ME: from Old North. Fr. olie , OFr. ~e , from L. oleum '(olive) ~'; cf. olea 'olive'.