PETROLATUM Definition & Meaning

petrolatum

[ pe-truh-ley-tuhm, -lah- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a yellowish or whitish, translucent, gelatinous, oily, semisolid, amorphous mass obtained from petroleum: used as a lubricant, rust preventive, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a protective dressing, emollient, and ointment base.

petrolatum

/ ˌ��ɛ�ٰ�əˈ��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing Also calledmineral jellypetroleum jelly

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of petrolatum¹

1885–90, Americanism; < New Latin; petroleum, -ate ²

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of petrolatum¹

C19: from petrol + Latin -atum -ate ¹

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Example Sentences

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Applying a thick layer of lip balm with moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum or shea butter before bedtime will also nourish your lips and prevent chapping, Rogers said.

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Unfortunately, I developed an incurable lung disease due to the petrolatum.

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A: Many people use Vaseline or other petrolatum products to moisturize their nostrils, just as you do.

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“Don’t forget about your lips, as they can be affected by the friction of the mask – consider applying petrolatum to your lips before you wear your mask and at bedtime,” Kovarik added.

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For instance, Whole Foods’ 2018 list of unacceptable ingredients, which includes more than 400 compounds, included petrolatum, which dermatologists recommend to patients because it is so nonallergenic.

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