Collins English-English Dictionary

oil [ɔɪl]

1. 1. n lubricating oil any of a number of substances usually derived from petroleum and used for lubrication

2. 2. n fuel oil a petroleum product used as a fuel in domestic heating, industrial furnaces, marine engines, etc

3. 3. n any of a number of viscous liquids with a smooth sticky feel. They are usually flammable, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and are obtained from plants and animals, from mineral deposits, and by synthesis. They are used as lubricants, fuels, perfumes, foodstuffs, and raw materials for chemicals - See also essential oil fixed oil

4. 4. n another name for petroleum

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   an oil engine

   an oil rig

6. 6. n (in combination)

   an oilcan

   an oilstone

7. 7. n (as modifier)

   an oil pump

8. 8. n [Brit] paraffin, esp when used as a domestic fuel

9. 9. n (as modifier)

   an oil lamp

   an oil stove

10. 10. n any substance of a consistency resembling that of oil

    oil of vitriol

11. 11. n the solvent, usually linseed oil, with which pigments are mixed to make artists' paints

12. 12. n [often plural] oil colour or paint

13. 13. n (as modifier)

    an oil painting

14. 14. n an oil painting

15. 15. vt. [tr] to lubricate, smear, polish, etc, with oil or an oily substance

16. 16. vt. [Spoken] to bribe (esp in the phrase oil someone's palm)

17. 17. vt. See well-oiled

18. 18. vt. [Etymology] C12: from Old French oile, from Latin oleum (olive) oil, from olea olive tree, from Greek elaia olive