First Known Use: circa 1852
Dictionary
phenol
noun phe·nol \ˈfē-ˌnōl, -ˌnȯl, fi-ˈ\
Definition of PHENOL
1
: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C6H5OH present in the tars of coal and wood that in dilute solution is used as a disinfectant
2
: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons
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Origin of PHENOL
International Scientific Vocabulary phen- + 3-ol
Medical Dictionary
phenol
noun phe·nol \ˈfē-ˌnōl, -ˌnȯl, fi-ˈ\
Medical Definition of PHENOL
1
: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C6H5OH present in coal tar and wood tar that is used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals (as aspirin) and as a topical anesthetic in dilute solution—called also carbolic, carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene
2
: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons
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