naphtha
/ˈnafθə
/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A flammable oil containing various hydrocarbons, obtained by the dry distillation of organic substances such as coal, shale, or petroleum.Use a good grade of naphtha, isopropyl alcohol, or butyl cellosolve on polycarbonate domes....
- To avoid having sodium react with oxygen or water vapor in the air, it is usually stored under kerosene, naphtha, or some other organic liquid with which it does not react.
- The temblor and subsequent aftershocks are believed to have dislodged the cover of the tank, which was filled with 26,000 kiloliters of naphtha - a highly flammable petroleum byproduct.
Origin
Late Middle English napte, from Latin naphtha from Greek, of oriental origin; the Latin spelling was introduced in the late 16th century.