naphtha
(redirected from naphthas)Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.
naph·tha
(năf′thə, năp′-)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. Also called benzine, ligroin, petroleum ether, white gasoline.
2. Obsolete Petroleum.
[Latin, from Greek, liquid bitumen, of Semitic origin; see npṭ in Semitic roots.]
naph′thous adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
naphtha
(ˈnæfθə; ˈnæp-)n
1. (Elements & Compounds) a distillation product from coal tar boiling in the approximate range 80–170°C and containing aromatic hydrocarbons
2. (Elements & Compounds) a distillation product from petroleum boiling in the approximate range 100–200°C and containing aliphatic hydrocarbons: used as a solvent and in petrol
3. (Elements & Compounds) an obsolete name for petroleum
[C16: via Latin from Greek, of Iranian origin; related to Persian neft naphtha]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
naph•tha
(ˈnæf θə, ˈnæp-)n.
1. a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate, usu. an intermediate product between gasoline and benzine, used as a solvent and as a fuel.
2. any of various similar liquids distilled from other products.
[1565–75; < Latin < Greek náphthas, perhaps < Iranian *nafta, derivative of *nab- to be damp]
naph′thous, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
naph·tha
(năf′thə) Any of several products 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.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new 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" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005