noun
: a fatty slightly sticky water-insoluble wax that coats the surface of the fibers of sheep's wool, consists chiefly of esters of higher alcohols (as cholesterol and lanosterol) with various fatty acids, is extracted with organic solvents or by scouring with soap or detergents, and is used especially in the dressing of leather and furs, in lubricating greases, slushing compounds, and printing inks, and as a source of lanolin — called also degras, wool fat, wool wax