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kerosene

The origin and history of kerosene.

Etymology

Coined from the Ancient Greek kērós ("wax") plus the chemical suffix "-ene"; it was trademarked as a name in 1854 before becoming a generic term.

Origin: Ancient Greek · First attested 1854

Class of 1854

kerosene first entered the language around 1854. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1854 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.