vaseline Meaning, Definition & Usage

Said by the manufacturer to be derived from G. wasser water + Gr. 'e`laion olive oil.

A yellowish translucent substance, almost odorless and tasteless, obtained as a residue in the purification of crude petroleum, and consisting essentially of a mixture of several of the higher members of the paraffin series. It is used as an unguent, and for various purposes in the arts. See the Note under Petrolatum. Written also vaselin.