turps n volatile liquid distilled from turpentine oleoresin; used as paint thinner and solvent and medicinally n removal of significant amounts of prostate tissue (as in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia) Usage(s) To this end he would whip up weird mayonnaises of wax, turps, asphaltum, eggs, resin and oil. Synonym(s) turpentine oil of turpentine spirit of turpentine transurethral resection of the prostate TURP