Definition of: turpentine

(tûr′pən·tīn) noun
1. A resinous, oily mixture of various pinenes exuding from any one of several coniferous trees, especially the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris).
2. The semi-fluid resin of the terebinth: also Chian turpentine.
—oil of turpentine The colorless essential oil formed when turpentine is distilled with steam and consisting of a mixture of terpenes: widely used in industry, medicine and the arts.
—v.t. ·tined, ·tin·ing
1. To put turpentine with or upon; saturate with turpentine.
2. To obtain crude turpentine from (a tree). [<OF turbentine <L terebinthinus of the terebinth tree <terebinthus the terebinth <Gk. terebinthos]