Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Phenol
Phe′nol
(fē′nōl; 277)
, Noun.
[Gr.
φαίνειν
to show + -ol
: cf. F. phénol
.] (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. ☞ 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 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
.Definition 2024
Phenol
Phenol
phenol
phenol
English
Noun
phenol (countable and uncountable, plural phenols)
- (organic chemistry, uncountable) A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic; once called carbolic acid.
- (organic chemistry, countable) Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.
Synonyms
- (caustic compound derived from benzene): carbolic acid
- benzenol
- hydroxybenzene
Translations
caustic compound derived from benzene
any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring
Hyponyms
Phenol compounds