rosin oil

noun

: an oily liquid obtained by destructive distillation of rosin and composed principally of hydrocarbons with some resin acids

especially : the viscous fraction that boils higher than rosin spirit, that when crude is dark-colored and fluorescent and has a sharp odor, and that is used chiefly in making lubricating greases and printing inks, in impregnating paper coverings for electric cables, and in compounding with other oils

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

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