naval stores

naval stores, term initially applied to the cordage, mask, resin, tar, and timber used in building wooden sailing ships; it now designates the products obtained from the pine tree, e.g., pine oil, pitch, rosin, tar, and turpentine. These products fall into two classes, those obtained from living pines and those from dead pines. Most of the naval stores used in the world are produced in the SE United States and in S Europe. Naval stores are now used largely in the manufacture of soap, paint, varnish, shoe polish, lubricants, linoleum, and roofing material.

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naval stores [′nā·vəl ‚stȯrz]

(materials)

Pitch and rosin formerly used in the construction of wooden ships.

All pine wood products, including rosin, turpentine, and pine oils.

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naval stores

1. Oils, resins, tars, and pitches obtained from the oleoresin of pine trees.

2. Obsolete name for resin and turpentine.