cosmoline meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

cosmoline

noun

Etymology Probably from cosmetic + Latin oleum (“oil”).

Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Petrochemistry, Petrology, Physical sciences A substance obtained from the residues of the distillation of petroleum, essentially the same as vaseline, but of somewhat stiffer consistency, and consisting of a mixture of the higher paraffins.

cosmoline

verb

Etymology Probably from cosmetic + Latin oleum (“oil”).

To coat with cosmoline.

With the Model 1917 tripod, the pintle should be removed from the socket from time to time, wiped clean and lightly oiled or cosmolined where there is friction between it and the socket.1930, The R.O.T.C. Manual, Infantry: 1st-2nd year advanced, page 178:
Now, as I understand it you testified that that would lead to the inference that they did not fear an attack and you said that they had the guns themselves there on the ships but they were cosmolined and could not fire.1946, United States. Congress. Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack, Pearl Harbor Attack: Hearings, Seventy-ninth Congress:

2 more examples

Its howitzers were turned in to "ordnance and to cosmoline" on the next day, for the war in Europe was ending.1966, Ulysses Lee, The Employment of Negro Troops, →ISBN, page 654:
It told in English and German, how an American Ordinance worked, such as receiving the items, giving them numbers, assigning the storage locations, cleaning and cosmolining or applying grease to them.2003, John Rich, My Awakening, →ISBN: