paraffin

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
paraffin/ˈparəfɪn/

▶noun

• 1 (also paraffin wax) chiefly Brit. a flammable waxy solid obtained by distilling petroleum or shale and used for sealing and waterproofing and in candles, cosmetics, etc.

• 2 (also paraffin oil or liquid paraffin) Brit. a liquid fuel made similarly, especially kerosene.

• 3 Chemistry old-fashioned term for alkane.

– origin C19: from Ger., from L. parum ‘little’ + affinis ‘related’ (from its low reactivity).