Phenol word meaning and definition

[noun] a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally
[noun] any of a class of weakly acidic organic compounds; molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups

\Phe"nol\, n. [Gr. ? 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. 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. 2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which phenol proper is the type. {Glacial phenol} (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or carbolic acid. {Phenol acid} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of the fatty acid series; 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 under {Phthalein}.

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