Noun: phenol 'fee,nówl [N. Amer], 'fee,nól [Brit]
- Any of a class of weakly acidic organic compounds; molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups
"Phenol is often used as an antiseptic in medical applications"
- A toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally
"phenol was used as an early antiseptic in surgery";
- carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, oxybenzene, phenylic acid, carbolic
Derived forms: phenols
Type of: acid, dissolvent, dissolver, dissolving agent, organic compound, resolvent, solvent
Encyclopedia: Phenol