n. A greasy yellow substance chemically akin to wax that is secreted from wooly animals, with a variety of uses from rust prevention, lubrication and waterproofing to cosmetics and skin ointments.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A peculiar fatlike body, made up of cholesterin and certain fatty acids, found in feathers, hair, wool, and keratin tissues generally.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A substance, consisting chiefly of cholesterin, extracted from wool, used as a basis for ointments.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics
n. an emollient containing wool fat (a fatty substance obtained from the wool of sheep)
Word Usage
"Most cosmetics are made of lanolin, which is a mixture of purified wool fat and water beaten up into an emulsion."