Petrolatum \Pet`ro*la"tum\, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)
A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish,
fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and
as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --U. S.
Pharm.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified
product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial
names for substances essentially the same, but
differing slightly in appearance and consistency or
fusibility.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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Petrolatum \Pet`ro*la"tum\, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)
A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish,
fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and
as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --U. S.
Pharm.
Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified
product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names
for substances essentially the same, but differing
slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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