Dictionary Definition
turps n : volatile liquid distilled from
turpentine oleoresin; used as paint thinner and solvent and
medicinally [syn: turpentine, oil of
turpentine, spirit
of turpentine]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
Shortened from turpentinePronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɜː(r)ps
Noun
turps (uncountable)Extensive Definition
Turps may refer to several things, primarily
paint
solvents:
- Turpentine, or wood turpentine, the organic solvent derived from tree resin; it is a traditional solvent used by painters
- Turps also refers to white spirit, which is a petroleum-based replacement for the vegetable-based organic solvent turpentine.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is surgical procedure to perform a prostatectomy.
- Alcoholic Beverages (Australian slang), as in "on the turps".