Petrolatum

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Petrolatum \Pet`ro*la"tum\, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)
     A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
     odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
     portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish,
     fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
     fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and


     as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --U. S.
     Pharm.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified
           product. {Cosmoline} and {vaseline} are commercial
           names for substances essentially the same, but
           differing slightly in appearance and consistency or
           fusibility.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  petrolatum
       n : a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from
           petroleum; used in medicinal ointments and for
           lubrication [syn: {petroleum jelly}, {mineral jelly}]