Need correct spelling for subjecct material. It's apreservative
frequently used by the military in storing weapons.  Athicj gooyey
substance.  From what source is the name derived?

Hello,

You had the correct spelling at the first shot. The substance is
called "cosmoline". From dictionary.com sourcing Webster's Revised
Unabridged Dictionary (see link below) it is:

"
(Chem.) A substance obtained from the residues of the distillation of
petroleum, essentially the same as vaseline, but of somewhat stiffer
consistency, and consisting of a mixture of the higher paraffines; a
kind of petroleum jelly.
"

The etemology or source of the word is given too and is listed as:

"
[Prob. fr. cosmetic + L. oleum oil.]
"

Meaning it was probably derived from both the word cosmetic, and the
latin word for oleum oil. Glad I could help you with your question.


Search Strategy:

cosmoline on dictionary.com


Additional Links:

Cosmoline on dictionary.com:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cosmoline


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skermit-ga