A thick, dark liquid mixture of hydrocarbons found underground, used as fuel and in manufacturing. Commonly known as crude oil or simply oil.
From Latin 'petra' (rock) + 'oleum' (oil), literally meaning 'rock oil'. Coined in the 16th century to distinguish this naturally occurring oil from oils derived from plants or animals.
Petroleum is essentially ancient sunlight stored underground - formed from prehistoric organisms that captured solar energy millions of years ago and were compressed into this energy-dense liquid. The name 'rock oil' perfectly captures how strange it seemed to find oil seeping from stone rather than being pressed from olives or seeds.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.