retinol n 1: an unsaturated alcohol that occurs in marine fish-liver oils and is synthesized biologically from carotene [syn: {vitamin A1}, {retinol}]
Retinol \Ret"i*nol\, n. [Gr. ??? resin + L. oleum oil.] 1. (Chem.) A hydrocarbon oil {C32H16}, obtained by the distillation of resin, -- used as a solvent, as an antiseptic, and in printer's ink. [1913 Webster +PJC] 2. One of the compounds which function as vitamin A. Called also {vitamin A}, {vitamin A1} and {vitamin A alcohol}. See {vitamin A1}. [PJC]