from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]