petroleum

Definition

A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under the Earth's surface.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin petroleum, from petra (“rock”) + oleum (“oil”). Doublet of petrol.

Example Sentences

• "petroleum-based products"
• "Coal and petroleum do not occur hap-hazard in nature, but the aggregate occurrence of each product in any region forms a definite, limited horizon, which, in its continuance, is independent of the bedding plane."

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