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Showing results for carbolic acid. Search instead for Carbolic+Acid.

carbolic acid

British  
/ kɑːˈbɒlɪk /

noun

  1. another name for phenol, esp when it is used as an antiseptic or disinfectant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

carbolic acid Scientific  
/ kär-bŏl′ĭk /
  1. See phenol


Etymology

Origin of carbolic acid

C19: carbolic, from carbo- + -ol 1 + -ic


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The smell was dubbed the Great Stink, and carbolic acid, another disinfectant, was poured into the river to alleviate the problem.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

Once brought to the surface, bodies were lain out or taken home and covered in sacks, while gas tar with carbolic acid was used to alleviate the smell.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2017

After much experimentation, he heard that engineers used carbolic acid to reduce the smell from rotting waste.

From Nature ● Oct. 3, 2017

Blue’s team treated houses and streets with chlorinated lime and carbolic acid; took down dilapidated buildings and ramshackle housing additions; and trapped and poisoned rats.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2015

After scientists tested disinfecting methods, they found that carbolic acid wasn't the best way to kill germs, especially in the concentrations generally used.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

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