Pār'af-fīne, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. paraffine, from Lat. parum, too little, and affinis, akin.] (Chem.) A white, translucent, crystalline substance, tasteless and inodorous, obtained from the distillation of mineral and vegetable tar. It resembles spermaceti, fuses at 110° Fahrenheit, and is much used for making candles, and in a liquid form for lubricating machinery. It derives its name from its remarkable resistance to chemical action.