Oil Definition
oil
oiled, oiling, oils
noun
oils
Any of various kinds of greasy, combustible substances obtained from animal, vegetable, and mineral sources: oils are liquid at ordinary temperatures and soluble in certain organic solvents, as ether, but not in water.
Webster's New World
A protective or cosmetic liquid applied to the skin or hair.
American Heritage
Webster's New World
Oil paint.
American Heritage
A painting done in oil paint.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
oiled, oiling, oils
To smear, lubricate, or supply with oil.
Webster's New World
To bribe.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
Of, from, like, or yielding oil, or having to do with the production or use of oil.
Webster's New World
idiom
oil (someone's) hand
- To bribe:
an attorney who tried to oil the judge's hand to obtain a favorable verdict.
- To give a tip to:
oiled the porter's palm.
American Heritage
pour oil on troubled waters
- to settle quarrels, differences, etc. by calm, soothing methods
Webster's New World
strike oil
- to discover oil under the ground by drilling a shaft for it
- to become suddenly wealthy
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Oil
- oil (someone's) hand
- pour oil on troubled waters
- strike oil
Origin of Oil
-
Middle English oile (“olive oil"), from Anglo-Norman olie, from Latin oleum (“oil, olive oil"), from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον (elaion, “olive oil"), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive"). More at olive. Supplanted Old English æle, also from Latin.
From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old French oile from Latin oleum olive oil from Greek elaiwon, elaion from elaiwā, elaiā olive
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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