par ‧ af ‧ fin /ˈpærəfən, ˈpærəfɪn/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: German ; Origin: Latin parum 'too little' + affinis 'related' ; because it does not easily make compounds with other substances ]
1 . British English a kind of oil used for heating and in lamps, made from ↑ petroleum or coal SYN kerosene American English
2 . ( also paraffin wax British English ) a soft white substance used for making ↑ candle s , made from ↑ petroleum or coal