linalool

American  

[li-nal-oh-awl, -ol, lin-uh-lool] / lɪˈnæl oʊˌɔl, -ˌɒl, ˌlɪn əˈlul /

Also linalol

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, unsaturated terpene liquid alcohol, C 10 H 18 O, having a fragrance similar to that of bergamot oil, obtained from several essential oils: used in perfumery.

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linalool British  

/ ˈlɪnəˌlɒl, lɪˈnæləʊˌɒl, ˈlɪnəˌluːl /

noun

1. an optically active colourless fragrant liquid found in many essential oils and used in perfumery. Formula: C 10 H 18 O

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Etymology

Origin of linalool

1890–95; < Mexican Spanish lináloe a fragrant Mexican wood ( lignaloes ) + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

For basil, those oils are called eugenol and linalool; oregano gets its flavors from carvacrol and thymol.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2023

Most individuals ranked the smell of vanilla as most pleasant, followed by the scent of ethyl butyrate, a fruity odorant found in ripe bananas and nectarines, and then linalool, common in floral scents.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 12, 2022

The key ingredient is linalool, an alcohol component of lavender odor.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2019

When manufacturers add linalool to a fragrance, it gives the impression of lavender, but it smells "harsher," says Labows.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2016

These include linalool – a substance also used in perfumes and insecticide – and geraniol, a pale yellow liquid that doubles up as an effective mosquito repellent and gives geranium its distinctive smell.

From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2013