Webster's English Dictionary

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paraffin

1. par.af.fin \'par-*-f*n\ \.par-*-'fin-ik\ n [G, fr. L parum too little + 
   affinis bordering on; akin to L pau]cus few - more at FEW, AFFINITY 1a: a 
   waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained esp. from distillates o f 
   wood, coal, or petroleum or shale oil that is a complex mixture of 
   hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in 
   rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics 1b: any of various 
   mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that  are semisolid or 
   oily 2: a hydrocarbon of the methane series  chiefly Brit  3: KEROSINE  - 
   par.af.fin.ic aj
2. paraffin vt : to coat or saturate with paraffin