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Phenol

//ˈfiːnɒl// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    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 uncountable
  2. 2
    a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally wordnet
  3. 3
    Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring (or other aromatic ring) countable
  4. 4
    any of a class of weakly acidic organic compounds; molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups wordnet

Etymology

From French phène, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “to clear”), as it was used for illumination, name given by Auguste Laurente in 1836. By surface analysis, pheno- + -ol.

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