oil

¹oil

noun, often attributive \ˈȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of OIL

1

a : any of numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth

b (1) : petroleum (2) : the petroleum industry

2

: a substance (as a cosmetic preparation) of oily consistency <bath oil>

3

a : an oil color used by an artist

b : a painting done in oil colors

4

: unctuous or flattering speech

Examples of OIL

1. The price of crude oil is expected to rise.
2. We heat our house with oil.
3. A little bit of oil will help lubricate the chain.
4. Add a little oil to the pan and stir-fry the onions.
5. The dressing is made with oil, vinegar, and a pinch of herbs.

Origin of OIL

Middle English oile, from Anglo-French, from Latin oleum olive oil, from Greek elaion, from elaia olive

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to OIL

Synonyms

canvas (also canvass), painting, oil painting

Related Words

fresco, mural, panorama; diptych, triptych; acrylic, aquarelle, gouache, watercolor; distemper, drawing, etching, finger painting, pastel, sketch, tempera; masterpiece; pièce de résistance, showpiece

Other Mining and Drilling Terms

ore, trepan, wildcat

²oil

verb

Definition of OIL

transitive verb

: to smear, rub over, furnish, or lubricate with oil

intransitive verb

: to take on fuel oil

— oil the hand or oil the palm

: bribe, tip

Examples of OIL

1. He oiled the bearings of the machine.
2. <if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently>

First Known Use of OIL

15th century

Related to OIL

Synonyms

grease, lubricate, slick, wax

Related Words

bathe, douse (also dowse), drench, soak, souse, wash, water, wet

Near Antonyms

coarsen, rough, roughen; dehydrate, dry, parch, sear

Rhymes with OIL

boil, broil, coil, foil, moil, royal, soil, spoil, toil

oil

noun \ˈȯi(ə)l\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of OIL

1

: any of numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth—see essential oil, fatty oil, volatile oil

2

: a substance (as a cosmetic preparation) of oily consistency <bath oil>

—oil adjective

oil

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any greasy substance liquid at room temperature and insoluble in water. It may be a fixed (nonvolatile) oil, an essential oil, or a mineral oil (see petroleum). Fixed oils and fats (derived from animals and plants) have the same chemical composition—both are esters of glycerol and fatty acids. These oils have a variety of industrial and food uses. Linseed, tung, and other drying oils are highly unsaturated (see saturation); these and large quantities of soybean, sunflower, and safflower oils (also constituents of foods) are used in paints and varnishes. When exposed to air they absorb oxygen and polymerize (see polymerization), forming a tough coating. Some specialty oils and oil derivatives are also used in leather dressing and textile manufacture.