[tur.pen.tine] n [ME terbentyne, turpentyne, fr. MF & ML; MF terbentine, tourbentine, fr. ML terbentina, fr. L terebinthina, fem. of terebinthinus of terebinth, fr. terebinthus terebinth, fr. Gk terebinthos] (14c) 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 esp. as a solvent and thinner--called also gum turpentine b: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood--called also wood turpentine
[2]turpentine vt -tined ; -tin.ing (1759) 1: to apply turpentine to
2: to extract turpentine from; esp: to tap (pine trees) in order to obtain turpentine