ˈnafthə, ÷ ˈnap- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan napta moist, Persian neft naphtha; perhaps akin to Greek nephos cloud, mist — more at nebula
1. : petroleum especially when occurring in any of its more volatile varieties
2. archaic : any of various volatile strong-smelling flammable liquids (as ether or ethyl acetate)
3. : any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents and as raw materials for conversion to gasoline: as
a. : a petroleum distillate containing principally aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling usually higher than gasoline and lower than kerosene — called also petroleum naphtha ; see ligroin , stoddard solvent
b. : solvent naphtha