GLYCERINE
glycerol, glycerin, glycerine
(noun) a sweet syrupy trihydroxy alcohol obtained by saponification of fats and oils
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
glycerine (countable and uncountable, plural glycerines)
(organic compound) The common name for glycerol, glycerin or E422.
Source: Wiktionary
Glyc"er*in, Glyc"er*ine (, n. Etym: [F. glycérine, fr. Gr. glykero`s,
glyky`s, sweet. Cf. Glucose, Licorice.] (Chem.)
Definition: An oily, viscous liquid, C3H5(OH)3, colorless and odorless, and
with a hot, sweetish taste, existing in the natural fats and oils as
the base, combined with various acids, as oleic, margaric, stearic,
and palmitic. It is a triatomic alcohol, and hence is also called
glycerol. See Note under Gelatin.
Note: It is obtained from fats by saponification, or, on a large
scale, by the action of superheated steam. It is used as an ointment,
as a solvent and vehicle for medicines, and as an adulterant in wine,
beer, etc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition