cresol

[ kree-sawl, -sol ]

noun

1. any of three isomeric compounds having the formula C 7 H 8 O, usually derived from coal tar and wood tar, and used chiefly as a disinfectant.

cresol

/ ˈkriːsɒl /

noun

1. an aromatic compound derived from phenol, existing in three isomeric forms: found in coal tar and creosote and used in making synthetic resins and as an antiseptic and disinfectant; hydroxytoluene. Formula: C 6 H 4 (CH 3 )OH Also calledcresylic acid Systematic namemethylphenol

Word History and Origins

Origin of cresol¹

1860–65; cres- (irregular from creosote ) + -ol ²

Example Sentences

Crsylite is a French explosive, and contains picric acid and nitrated cresol.

From Project Gutenberg

The water in these buckets is not meant for drinking, and therefore contains a little cresol to prevent prisoners drinking it.

From Project Gutenberg

The floor and the lower part of the chambers are treated with cresol; the upper part is whitewashed.

From Project Gutenberg

They are arranged over cesspools 18 feet deep, disinfected every day with whitewash and cresol, and are quite odourless.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the substances deserving mention under this head we have indol, skatol, cresol, and phenol.

From Project Gutenberg