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diesel

Pronunciation: /ˈdiːz(ə)l/
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Definition of diesel

noun

  • (also diesel engine) an internal-combustion engine in which heat produced by the compression of air in the cylinder is used to ignite the fuel: [as modifier]:a diesel locomotive
  • [mass noun] (also diesel oil) a heavy petroleum fraction used as fuel in diesel engines:eleven litres of diesel

Derivatives

dieselize

(also dieselise) verb

Origin:

late 19th century: named after R. Diesel (see Diesel, Rudolf)

Spelling rule

i before e except after c (as in thief).

diesel in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of diesel in the US English dictionary

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