spirits of turpentine
n (Elements & Compounds) (
functioning as singular or plural) another name for
turpentine3 Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tur•pen•tine
(ˈtɜr pənˌtaɪn)
n., v. -tined, -tin•ing. n. 1. any of various oleoresins derived from coniferous trees and yielding a volatile oil and a resin when distilled.
2. Also called
oil of turpentine, spirits of turpentine.a distilled form of this oleoresin, having a penetrating odor and a pungent, bitter taste, used as a paint thinner and solvent and in medicine.
3. an oleoresin exuded by the terebinth; Chian turpentine.
v.t. 4. to treat with turpentine; apply turpentine to.
5. to gather or take crude turpentine from (trees).
[1275–1325; late Middle English, alter. of Middle English
ter(e)bentyn(e) < Medieval Latin
ter(e)bentīna, for Latin
terebinthīna, n. use of feminine of
terebinthīnus, adj. derivative of
terebinth(us) terebinth]
tur`pen•tin′ic (-ˈtɪn ɪk) tur′pen•tin`ous (-ˌtɪn əs, -ˌtaɪ nəs) adj.
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