\Vas"e*line\, n. [Said by the manufacturer to be
derived from G. wasser water + Gr. 'e`laion olive oil.]
A yellowish translucent substance, almost odorless and
tasteless, obtained as a residue in the purification of crude
petroleum, and consisting essentially of a mixture of several
of the higher members of the paraffin series. It is used as
an unguent, and for various purposes in the arts. See the
Note under {Petrolatum}. [Written also {vaselin}.]