Naphthenate
/ˈnæfθəˌneɪt/noun
A salt or ester of naphthenic acid.
Did you know?The root behind *naphthenate* ultimately goes back to ancient words for petroleum-like liquid, not magic—but in alchemical and medieval texts, naphtha was famous for being so volatile it seemed almost supernatural.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
νάφθα (náphtha)
“A kind of sticky, flammable petroleum or bitumen-like liquid.”
Late Latin
Latin
naphtha
“A borrowed term for naphtha, an inflammable oil.”
18th Century
English
naphtha
“A volatile petroleum distillate.”
19th Century
English
naphthenic
“Relating to naphthenes, a class of cyclic hydrocarbons found in petroleum.”
19th Century
English
naphthenate
“A salt or ester derived from naphthenic acid.”