Paraffin

Pronunciation: /ˈpærəfɪn/

Definitions of paraffin

noun a type of flammable, waxy substance commonly used in candles, cosmetics, and other products

Example Sentences

A1 I use paraffin wax to make candles.

A2 Paraffin is often used in beauty products like lotions and creams.

B1 The mechanic used paraffin to clean the engine parts.

B2 Paraffin is a type of hydrocarbon that is commonly used in the manufacturing of plastics.

C1 The research team conducted experiments with paraffin to study its properties under extreme temperatures.

C2 The chemical composition of paraffin makes it a versatile material for various industrial applications.

Examples of paraffin in a Sentence

formal The paraffin wax is commonly used in candle-making due to its low melting point.

informal I need to buy some paraffin for my mom's birthday candles.

slang Hey, can you grab me some paraffin for the bonfire tonight?

figurative Her words were like paraffin, igniting a firestorm of controversy.

Grammatical Forms of paraffin

• past tense: paraffined
• plural: paraffins
• comparative: more paraffin
• superlative: most paraffin
• present tense: paraffin
• future tense: will paraffin
• perfect tense: have paraffined
• continuous tense: is paraffining
• singular: paraffin
• positive degree: paraffin
• infinitive: to paraffin
• gerund: paraffining
• participle: paraffined

Origin and Evolution of paraffin

First Known Use: 1830 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'paraffin' originated from the Latin word 'parum' meaning 'little' and 'affinis' meaning 'related'. It was first used in the context of a waxy substance in chemistry.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to a specific type of waxy substance, the term 'paraffin' has evolved to encompass a broader range of similar substances in the field of chemistry and industry.