naphtha

naph·tha  (nfth, np-)

n.

1. Any of several highly volatile, flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons distilled from petroleum, coal tar, and natural gas and used as fuel, as solvents, and in making various chemicals.

2. Obsolete Petroleum.

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[Latin, from Greek, liquid bitumen, of Semitic origin; see np in Semitic roots.]

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naphthous adj.

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naphtha

Noun

Chem a liquid mixture distilled from coal tar or petroleum: used as a solvent and in petrol [Greek]

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naphtha  (nfth)

Any of several liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons made by refining petroleum or by breaking down coal tar. Naphtha is usually flammable, and is used as a solvent and as an ingredient in gasoline. It is also used to make plastics.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

naphtha - any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents hydrocarbon - an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen dissolvent, dissolver, dissolving agent, resolvent, solvent - a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances; "the solvent does not change its state in forming a solution"