Paraffine

(păr'af-fin.) [From L. pa rum, little, and affinis, connected with.] (Chem.) One of the products obtained by the destructive distillation of coal, petroleum, . It is a soft white substance without taste or smell, composed of carbon and hydrogen. It has a specific gravity of about 87, and its melting-point is about 1120, is not decomposed by distillation, burns with a clear white flame without smoke or residunm, and does not stain paper. It di olves easily in warm fat oils; also in cold e ential oils, and in ether, but it resists the action of chlorine, strong acids, and caustic alkalies. This substance is manufactured into candles. P. oil is the rectified product of the distillation of bituminous coal at a low temperature. It is very fluid, has a pale yellow color, and is lighter than water. It has come into extensive use for illuminating purposes. Solid paraffine can be obtained from it by the application of cold and pre ure. Paragoge, (par-a-go'je.) [Gr., amoving alongside of.] (Gram.) A figure of composition, by which the addition of a letter or syllable is made to the end of a word. It is used in forming the diminutives of most languages. [s. 683]