oil

Meanings

Noun

• Liquid fat.
• Petroleum-based liquid used as fuel or lubricant.
• An oil painting.
• Oil paint.
• Containing oil, conveying oil; intended for or capable of containing oil.

Verb

• To lubricate with oil.
• To grease with oil for cooking.

Origin

• From Middle English oyle, oile, borrowed from Anglo-Norman olie, from Latin oleum, from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον, from ἐλαία. More at olive. Supplanted Middle English ele, from Old English ele, also from Latin.
• From Middle English oilen, oylen, from the noun (see above).