turpentine

1 of 2

noun

tur·​pen·​tine ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn 

ˈtər-pᵊm-

1

a

: a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth

b

: an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)

2

a

: an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner

called also gum turpentine

b

: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood

called also wood turpentine

turpentine

2 of 2

verb

turpentined; turpentining

transitive verb

1

: to apply turpentine to

2

: to extract turpentine from

especially : to tap (pine trees) in order to obtain turpentine

Examples of turpentine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Taylor then attempted to achieve financial security through farming, then through the turpentine industry, and finally in lumber camps. —Craig Gill / Made By History, TIME, 13 June 2024

The way these things combine: a strip of cotton, a smear of paint, the smell of turpentine. —Mairead Small Staid, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2023

Lacking a studio of his own, write the authors in the paper, the artist was forced to use new cotton canvases (instead of reusing old ones, as was his habit), as well as purchase animal glue, oil paints based on linseed and sunflower oil, brushes, and turpentine. —Nora McGreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2021

Christopher Mantia, who grew up in Germantown and moved back seven years ago, said his water still smells like turpentine or WD-40 lubricant. —Maia Pandey, NBC News, 28 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English terbentyne, turpentyne, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French terebentine, from Medieval Latin terbentina, from Latin terebinthina, feminine of terebinthinus of terebinth, from terebinthus terebinth, from Greek terebinthos

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turpentine

• gum turpentine
• spirits of turpentine
• wood turpentine

Kids Definition

turpentine

noun

tur·​pen·​tine

ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn

1

: a mixture of oil and resin obtained from pines and some related trees

2

: an oil made from turpentine and used especially as a solvent and paint thinner

Medical Definition

turpentine

noun

tur·​pen·​tine ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn, ˈtərp-ᵊm- 

1

a

: a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) of the sumac family

b

: an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)

2

a

: an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner

called also oil of turpentine

b

: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood

called also wood turpentine