petrol

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.

   1987 October 29, Advertisement, New Scientist, page 31, We were the first company to introduce unleaded petrol in Britain, opening our first pump in June 1986.

2. 2
   noun

   A motor vehicle powered by petrol (as opposed to diesel).

   However, I do feel entitled to criticise the car. There are lots of different versions: manuals and automatics; petrols and diesels; two-wheel drives and four-wheel drives, and it's possible to spend thirty grand on one.

3. 3
   noun

   a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum

4. 4
   verb

   To fill or supply (a vehicle, etc.) with petrol.

Etymology

Borrowed from French (essence de) pétrole, from Medieval Latin petroleum, from Ancient Greek πετρέλαιον (petrélaion, “oil of the rock”), from πέτρα (pétra, “stone, rock”)+ ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil, any oily substance”). Doublet of petroleum.