benzoline

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a historical name for a volatile petroleum or coal-tar solvent, used especially for cleaning and removing grease

   The cleaner dabbed benzoline on the stained sleeve away from any flame.

A nineteenth-century chemical name formed from benzol + -ine. Historical usage was loose: benzoline could denote benzol, benzene-rich material, or a low-boiling petroleum solvent. In period cleaning contexts it usually means the volatile solvent.

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