whale oil

noun

: a water-white to brown oil obtained from the blubber of whales and used in tempering steel, in dressing leather, after hydrogenation in making margarine and soap, as a lubricant, and formerly as an illuminant

called also train oil

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Cite this Entry

“Whale oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale%20oil. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

whale oil

noun
: an oil obtained from the blubber of whales and formerly used especially in lamps
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