a white or colorless, tasteless, odorless, water-insoluble, solid substance not easily acted upon by reagents, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons chiefly of the alkane series, obtained from crude petroleum

used in candles, for forming preservative coatings and seals, for waterproofing paper, etc.

Chemistry .

any member of the alkane series.

one of the higher members of the alkane series, solid at ordinary temperatures, having a boiling point above 300?C, which largely constitutes the commercial form of this substance.

Also called paraffin oil. British . kerosene.

to cover or impregnate with paraffin.