Turpentine is a semifluid
resin obtained from
trees, mainly
pines of the genus
Pinus. A volatile oil called
spirit of turpentine,
oil of turpentine or, colloquially,
turps can be extracted by
distillation. Turps has been described simply as "distilled trees". Turps is used as a solvent, especially for thinning oil-based
paints, and as a raw material for the chemical industry.