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Glite Dictionary
Chian turpentine

Chian turpentine

9.9
A sticky tree resin from the island of Chios used in medicine and to make varnish
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : trementina chiana
  • The artist used Chian turpentine in the preparation of his oil paints.

Examples

  • The extraction of Chian turpentine from the terebinth tree is still practiced in parts of Greece.

  • In ancient medicine, Chian turpentine was believed to have valuable healing properties.

  • I purchased some Chian turpentine for my art project.

  • The artist prefers using Chian turpentine over regular turpentine.

  • In ancient medicine, Chian turpentine was believed to have valuable healing properties.

  • The artist used Chian turpentine in the preparation of his oil paints.

  • The extraction of Chian turpentine from the terebinth tree is still practiced in parts of Greece.

Synonyms

turpentine
vsChian turpentine
  • Specialized
13 7.5

An oily liquid from pine trees that thins paint and cleans brushes

is viscous resin from a different tree rather than chiefly a solvent
gum turpentine
vsChian turpentine
  • Specialized
9.3

A sticky liquid from pine trees used to thin paint and clean brushes

is a thicker viscous resin from a different tree used in medicine and varnishes
spirit of turpentine
vsChian turpentine
  • Specialized
9.0

A strong liquid used to thin oil paint and clean brushes

is the thick resinous extract rather than a volatile distilled liquid
oil of turpentine
vsChian turpentine
  • Specialized
7.5

A strong-smelling liquid from pine resin that artists use to thin oil paint

is the viscous natural resin, not the distilled volatile solvent form
turps
vsChian turpentine
  • UK
9.9

A strong liquid used to thin oil paint and clean brushes

refers to the unprocessed resinous material rather than the distilled product
turp
vsChian turpentine
  • Jargon
9.9

A strong liquid painters use to clean brushes after painting with oil

is the original viscous resin, not the informal name for the distilled liquid

Surface Forms

Chian turpentine singular
Chian turpentines plural

Morphology

Chian + turpentine

This is a simple adjective + noun denoting origin/type: 'Chian' = from Chios and 'turpentine' = a resinous substance, so the phrase straightforwardly means turpentine from Chios. The composition pattern (place-derived adjective + noun) is cross-linguistically common and fully predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would infer the meaning.

Etymology

Chian turpentine is a name for a sticky resin taken from the terebinth tree on the Greek island of Chios. The word Chian shows it comes from Chios and turpentine is the resin used in medicine and for varnish, so the name means 'the turpentine from Chios'.