‖ petroˈlatum Pharm.
[mod.L., f. petrol + -ātum in acetatum, sulphatum, etc.: see -ate1 c.]
The official name in U.S. Pharm. for pure Vaseline, called in the British Pharm. paraffinum molle; = petroleum jelly.
| 1887 Sci. Amer. (N.Y.) 7 May 293/3 With a silk handkerchief apply petrolatum evenly. 1890 Webster s.v., Petrolatum is the officinal name for the product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names for substances essentially the same, but differing slightly in appearance and consistence or fusibility. 1959 Industr. Wood Processes VII. 15 (heading) The effect of petrolatum on the strength of glued joints. 1972 Materials & Technol. V. xiv. 520 Other plasticizers derived from petroleum are: petrolatum, paraffin waxes,..and asphalts. 1976 Lebende Sprachen XXI. 151/2 Lubricate sparingly with petrolatum/white petroleum before destructive testing. |