par‧af‧fin /ˈpærəfən, ˈpærəfɪn/ noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: German; Origin: Latin parum 'too little' + affinis 'related'; because it does not easily make compounds with other substances]

1. British English a kind of oil used for heating and in lamps, made from petroleum or coal Synonym : kerosene American English

2. (also paraffin wax British English) a soft white substance used for making candles, made from petroleum or coal

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲