lanolin — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A greasy yellow substance chemically akin to wax that is secreted from wooly animals, with a variety of uses from rust prevention, lubrication and waterproofing to cosmetics and skin ointments.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Synonyms

   E913 when used as a glazing agent

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   She was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a tray of leather-bound books in front of her; she was rubbing lanolin into their covers […] ‘Look at these lovely old editions,’ she said, showing me a couple of small tan books, their bindings still glossy and moist from the lanolin, like newly exposed conkers.

Verb

1. To treat with lanolin.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics

   Synonyms

   wool fatwool grease

   Broader terms

   animal oil

2. an emollient containing wool fat (a fatty substance obtained from the wool of sheep)

   Broader terms

   creamointmentemollient