n. [ L. naphtha, Gr. na`fqa, fr.Ar. nafth, nifth. ] 1. (Chem.) The complex mixture of volatile, liquid, inflammable hydrocarbons, occurring naturally, and usually called crude petroleum, mineral oil, or rock oil. Specifically: That portion of the distillate obtained in the refinement of petroleum which is intermediate between the lighter gasoline and the heavier benzine, and has a specific gravity of about 0.7, -- used as a solvent for varnishes, as a carburetant, illuminant, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) One of several volatile inflammable liquids obtained by the distillation of certain carbonaceous materials and resembling the naphtha from petroleum; as, Boghead naphtha, from Boghead coal (obtained at Boghead, Scotland); crude naphtha, or light oil, from coal tar; wood naphtha, from wood, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This term was applied by the earlier chemical writers to a number of volatile, strong smelling, inflammable liquids, chiefly belonging to the ethers, as the sulphate, nitrate, or acetate of ethyl. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Naphtha vitrioli [ NL., naphtha of vitriol ] (Old Chem.), common ethyl ether; -- formerly called sulphuric ether. See Ether. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A salt of naphthalic acid; a phthalate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A white crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon, C10H8, analogous to benzene, and obtained by the distillation of certain bituminous materials, such as the heavy oil of coal tar. It is the type and basis of a large number of derivatives among organic compounds. Formerly called also naphthaline. [ 1913 Webster ]

Naphthalene red (Chem.), a dyestuff obtained from certain diazo derivatives of naphthylamine, and called also magdala red. --
Naphthalene yellow (Chem.), a yellow dyestuff obtained from certain nitro derivatives of naphthol. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to , or derived from, naphthalene; -- used specifically to designate a yellow crystalline substance, called naphthalenic acid and also hydroxy quinone, and obtained from certain derivatives of naphthol. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, derived from, or related to, naphthalene; -- formerly used to denote any one of a series of acids derived from naphthalene, and called naphthalene acids, now specifically referring to 1, 8-naphthalenedicaboxylic acid, C12H8O4. (b) Formerly, designating an acid probably identical with phthalic acid. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. [ Naphthalene + toluidine. ] (Chem.) Same as Naphthylamine. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. naphthaline. ] (Chem.) See Naphthalene. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Chem.) To mingle, saturate, or impregnate, with naphtha. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Naphthalene + alizarin. ] (Chem.) A dyestuff, resembling alizarin, obtained from naphthoquinone as a red crystalline substance with a bright green, metallic luster; -- called also naphthalizarin. [ 1913 Webster ]