gasoline
/ˈɡæs.ə.liːn/ noun, adjective
Forms gasolines gasolene
- noun (uncountable, Canada, US, Philippines) A flammable liquid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, mainly used as a motor fuel; petrol. “You can't put gasoline in this car. This car takes diesel fuel.”
- noun (countable) Any specific kind of this fuel. “He was trying to invent a cleaner-burning gasoline.”
- noun (slang) Marijuana, especially very potent or of high quality.
- noun (slang) An alcoholic beverage made of vodka and energy drink.
- adjective Made from or using gasoline.
Synonyms
Etymology
From gas + -ol (suffix used in the names of oils) + -ine (suffix used in the names of derivatives). So called because it was originally used in the manufacture and enrichment of domestic gases, such as air gas.
Some sources suggest that the name originated from the brand name Cazeline, a petroleum-derived lighting oil, from the surname of the man who first marketed it in 1862, John Cassell, and the suffix –eline, from Greek ἔλαιον (élaion, “oil, olive oil”), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive”). Gasolene is found from 1863, and gasoline from 1864.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A highly volatile mixture of fluid hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum, as also by the distillation of bituminous coal. It is used in making air gas, and in giving illuminating power to water gas. See Carburetor.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “gasoline”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details