oil
UK[ɔɪl]US[ɔɪl]
n
A thick, smooth liquid from plants, animals, or under the ground, used as a fuel, for making machines run smoothly, or in cooking.
v
To put oil on or into something, especially a machine, to make its parts move smoothly.
Etymology
The English word 'oil' has a liquid journey through Mediterranean languages. Its ultimate source is the Greek 'elaia', referring to the olive tree, whose fruit was the primary source of oil in the ancient world. The Latin 'oleum' specifically meant "olive oil," a crucial commodity for lighting, cooking, and ritual. As the term passed into Old French and then English, its meaning broadened from just olive oil to encompass any viscous, flammable liquid derived from plants, animals, or minerals, reflecting the expanding uses and sources of such substances in daily life and industry.
Analysis
The word 'oil' is a simplex word. It is a loanword from Anglo-Norman and Old French 'oile', which derived from Latin 'oleum' (meaning "olive oil, oil"), itself from Greek 'elaion' (meaning "olive oil"). The Greek term originated from 'elaia' (meaning "olive tree").
Examples
The region is rich in reserves of crude oil.
You should oil that bicycle chain to stop it from squeaking.
She dressed the salad with a simple oil and vinegar dressing.