n 1 a  :  a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained esp. from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics  b  :  any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily  2  :  ALKANE par*af*fin*ic adj 
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  por·phin 
 
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