turpentine

play

noun tur·pen·tine \ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn, ˈtər-p^əm-\

Definition of turpentine

1a : a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinthb : an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)
2a : an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner —called also gum turpentineb : a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood —called also wood turpentine

See turpentine defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of turpentine from the Web

To soothe cavities, Waters said her family relied on turpentine and cotton.

— andrea castillo, latimes.com, "Rep. Maxine Waters speaks out on Republican health care bill at packed town hall meeting, as protesters gather outside", 24 June 2017
AFC foresters have inspected numerous spots, and the trees appear to be dying from a range of pests, including Southern pine beetle, Ips engraver beetle, and black turpentine beetle, or a combination of all three.

— joe songer | jsonger@al.com, AL.com, "Damage from the 2016 drought is evident across Alabama", 10 May 2017
WAR AND TURPENTINEBy Stefan Hertmans Translated by David McKay Illustrated.

— dominic smith, New York Times, "Review: ‘War and Turpentine,’ a Grandfather’s Painful Life AUG. 4, 2016", 17 Aug. 2016
World's Weirdest: Hedgehogs Love Poisons Hedgehogs lather up with turpentine, tobacco, and other toxic substances.

— National Geographic, "Roly-Poly Hedgehogs Loving Life in the City", 5 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turpentine'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of turpentine

Middle English terbentyne, turpentyne, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French terebentine, from Medieval Latin terbentina, from Latin terebinthina, feminine of terebinthinus of terebinth, from terebinthus terebinth, from Greek terebinthos

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Paints and Dyes Terms

bloom, craze, medium, size, vehicle

turpentine

verb tur·pen·tine

Definition of turpentine

turpentined

;

turpentining

transitive verb
1 : to apply turpentine to
2 : to extract turpentine from; especially : to tap (pine trees) in order to obtain turpentine

First Known Use of turpentine

1759

Other Paints and Dyes Terms

bloom, craze, medium, size, vehicle

TURPENTINE Defined for English Language Learners

turpentine

play

noun

Definition of turpentine for English Language Learners

: a type of oil with a strong smell that is used to make paint thinner and to clean paint brushes

TURPENTINE Defined for Kids

turpentine

play

noun tur·pen·tine \ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn\

Definition of turpentine for Students

: an oil made from resin and used as a solvent and as a paint thinner

Medical Dictionary

turpentine

play

noun tur·pen·tine \ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn, ˈtərp-^əm-\

Medical Definition of turpentine

1a: a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) of the sumac familyb: an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)
2a: an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner—called also oil of turpentineb: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood—called also wood turpentine