Etymology

Noun

1. Naturally-occuring liquid petroleum.
2. Any of a wide variety of aliphatic or aromatic liquid hydrocarbon mixtures distilled from petroleum or coal tar, especially as used in solvents or petrol.
   • 1995, Philip Pullman, Northern Lights:

     The Common Room and the Library were lit by anbaric light, but the Scholars preferred the older, softer naphtha lamps in the Retiring Room.