PETROLATUM

petrolatum, petroleum jelly, mineral jelly

(noun) a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum; used in medicinal ointments and for lubrication

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

petrolatum (plural petrolatums)

petroleum jelly

Source: Wiktionary

Pet`ro*la"tum, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)

Definition: A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. U. S. Pharm.

Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names for substances essentially the same, but differing slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition