How the German language influenced English with the word 'paraffin'

'Paraffin' is a word borrowed from German 'paraffin'. The word entered the English language some time around 1838.

paraffin [noun] [1838]

• a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that...
• any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily
• alkane
• kerosene

See 'paraffin' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: German, from Latin 'parum' too little (akin to Greek 'pauros' little, 'paid-, pais' child) + 'affinis' bordering on

See more loan words from 1800s.