Phenol

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Phenol \Phe"nol\ (f[=e]"n[=o]l; 277), n. [Gr. fai`nein to show +
     -ol: cf. F. ph['e]nol.] (Chem.)
     1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, {C6H5OH},
        produced by the destructive distillation of many organic
        bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy
        oil from coal tar.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote,
           which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is
           of the type of alcohols, and is called also {phenyl
           alcohol}, but has acid properties, and hence is
           popularly called {carbolic acid}, and was formerly
           called {phenic acid}. It is a powerful caustic poison,
           and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which
        phenol proper is the type.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Glacial phenol} (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or
        carbolic acid.
  
     {Phenol acid} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which
        are at once a derivative of phenol and an organic acid;
        thus, {salicylic acid} is a phenol acid.
  
     {Phenol alcohol} (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of
        phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both
        combined; thus, {saligenin} is a phenol alcohol.
  
     {Phenol aldehyde} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds
        having both phenol and aldehyde properties.
  
     {Phenol phthalein}. See {phenolphthalein}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  phenol
       n 1: any of a class of weakly acidic organic compounds; molecule
            contains one or more hydroxyl groups
       2: a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of
          benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and
          antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally [syn: {carbolic
          acid}, {hydroxybenzene}, {oxybenzene}, {phenylic acid}]