Grease

Grease, a term of general application to all oily or fatty matters, but generally to those having some degree of solidity, as tallow. It is more specially applied to fatty matters which are so deteriorated by dirt or other impurities as to be unfit for candle-making and other manufactures requiring some degree of purity in the material. Grease is largely employed as a lubricant for heavy machinery, and especially for the wheels of carriages. The grease employed for the axles of wagons and carts consists of inferior kinds of grease mixed with a little tar. On English railways grease is used for goods and mineral wagons; for passenger carriages palm-oil is used. See LUBRICANTS.—For a disease of horses, see WEED.