n.1 an inflammable waxy or oily substance obtained by distillation from petroleum or shale, used in liquid form (also paraffin oil) esp. as a fuel.
2 Chem. ALKANE.
Phrases and idioms:
paraffin wax paraffin in its solid form.
Etymology: G (1830) f. L parum little + affinis related, from the small affinity it has for other substances