NAPHTHAS
Noun
naphthas
plural of naphtha
Source: Wiktionary
NAPHTHA
Naph"tha, n. Etym: [L. naphtha, Gr. nafth, nifth.]
1. (Chem.)
Definition: The complex mixture of volatile, liquid, inflammable
hydrocarbons, occurring naturally, and usually called crude
petroleum, mineral oil, or rock oil. Specifically: That portion of
the distillate obtained in the refinement of petroleum which is
intermediate between the lighter gasoline and the heavier benzine,
and has a specific gravity of about 0.7, -- used as a solvent for
varnishes, as a carburetant, illuminant, etc.
2. (Chem.)
Definition: One of several volatile inflammable liquids obtained by the
distillation of certain carbonaceous materials and resembling the
naphtha from petroleum; as, Boghead naphtha, from Boghead coal
(obtained at Boghead, Scotland); crude naphtha, or light oil, from
coal tar; wood naphtha, from wood, etc.
Note: This term was applied by the earlier chemical writers to a
number of volatile, strong smelling, inflammable liquids, chiefly
belonging to the ethers, as the sulphate, nitrate, or acetate of
ethyl. Watts. Naphtha vitrioli Etym: [NL., naphtha of vitriol] (Old
Chem.), common ethyl ether; -- formerly called sulphuric ether. See
Ether.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition