lanolin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics
    wool grease; wool fat.
  2. noun an emollient containing wool fat (a fatty substance obtained from the wool of sheep)

WordNet


Lan"o*lin noun
Etymology
L. lana wool + oleum oil.
Definitions
  1. (Physiol. Chem.) A peculiar fatlike body, made up of cholesterin and certain fatty acids, found in feathers, hair, wool, and keratin tissues generally. ✍ Under the same name, it is prepared from wool for commercial purposes, and forms an admirable basis for ointments, being readily absorbed by the skin.

Webster 1913