oil

Everyday

1. A thick, slippery liquid that does not mix with water, from plants or animals, used in cooking: olive oil. tree →
2. A thick black liquid from under the ground (crude oil, petroleum) made into petrol, diesel and plastic. tree →
3. Oil put on machines to help parts move smoothly. tree →
4. Oil paint used for pictures. tree →
5. Verb: to put oil on something. tree →

In the lessons

In science: oil floats on water because it is less dense; oil and water don't mix; oil is a fossil fuel formed from tiny sea creatures long ago; burning it releases carbon dioxide; oil spills harm sea birds. In kitchen safety: hot oil can burn; never put water on an oil fire — turn off the heat and cover the pan. Phrases: olive oil, cooking oil, oil spill, oil paint, oil rig, oil and water.

Examples

• Mum cooks with olive oil. tree →
• Oil floats on top of water. tree →
• Hot oil can spit and burn you. tree →
• Never throw water on a pan of burning oil. tree →
• Petrol is made from oil. tree →
• The oil spill hurt the sea birds. tree →
• Dad oiled my squeaky bike chain. tree →
• She painted the picture in oils. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «some oil», «a drop of oil»; «oils» for kinds. Rhymes with «boil». Safety trap: water on burning oil makes it explode into flames — cover the pan with a lid or fire blanket and call an adult.

In Jewish tradition

Oil, mostly olive oil, was used for lamps, for anointing priests and holy things, and for mixing with flour in grain offerings.

Interpretation. Tradition sees anointing oil as a sign of being set apart for holy work. The Temple menorah burned pure olive oil, and Hanukkah remembers the oil that lasted eight days.

Examples

• oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense; (Torah EXO.25.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt break it in pieces, and pour oil thereon; it is a meal-offering. (Torah LEV.2.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon; it is a meal-offering. (Torah LEV.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no oil. (Writings ECC.9.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have found David My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him; (Writings PSA.89.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the Tent, and anointed Solomon. (Prophets 1KI.1.39, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «some oil», «a drop of oil»; «oils» for kinds. Rhymes with «boil». Safety trap: water on burning oil makes it explode into flames — cover the pan with a lid or fire blanket and call an adult.