Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: GEOLOGY

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Medieval Latin
Origin: petroleum, from Latin petr- (from Greek petra 'rock') + oleum ( OIL1)

petroleum

 noun
     
pe‧tro‧le‧um [uncountable]
HEG oil that is obtained from below the surface of the Earth and is used to make petrol, paraffin, and various chemical substances:
petroleum-based products
Definition of petroleum from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic GEOLOGY
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