Benzoline

/ˈbɛnzəliːn/ noun

Definition

A refined fraction of petroleum or coal tar containing volatile aromatic hydrocarbons; an early form of gasoline or solvent.

Etymology

From 'benzol' + the suffix '-ine' (common in naming liquid fractions), developed during early petroleum refining. Used interchangeably with early gasoline in the 1800s-1900s.

Kelly Says

Benzoline is literally how gasoline got its name—chemists refined coal tar and petroleum to get benzol, then called the liquid fraction 'benzoline' or 'benzine,' which eventually became 'gasoline'!

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