oil

Meaning

Noun

1. Liquid fat.
2. Petroleum-based liquid used as fuel or lubricant.
3. Petroleum.
4. An oil painting.
5. Oil paint.
6. Containing oil, conveying oil; intended for or capable of containing oil.

Verb

1. To lubricate with oil.
2. To grease with oil for cooking.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɔɪ(ə)l/

Etymology

From Middle English oyle, oile (“olive oil”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman olie, from Latin oleum (“oil, olive oil”), from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil”), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive”). Compare Proto-Slavic *lojь. More at olive. Doublet of oleum. Supplanted Middle English ele (“oil”), from Old English ele (“oil”), also from Latin.