Linoleum \Li*no"le*um\ (l[i^]*n[=o]"l[-e]*[u^]m), n. [L. linum flax + oleum oil.]

1. Linseed oil brought to various degrees of hardness by some oxidizing process, as by exposure to heated air, or by treatment with chloride of sulphur. In this condition it is used for many of the purposes to which India rubber has been applied.

2. A kind of floor cloth made by laying hardened linseed oil mixed with ground cork on a canvas backing.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)