menthol

[ men-thawl, -thol ]

noun

1. Also called hexahydrothymol, peppermint camphor. Chemistry, Pharmacology. a colorless, crystalline, slightly water-soluble alcohol, C 1 0 H 2 0 O, obtained from peppermint oil or synthesized: used chiefly in perfumes, confections, cigarettes, and liqueurs and in medicine for colds and nasal disorders for its cooling effect on mucous membranes.
2. a mentholated cigarette.

adjective

1. containing menthol; mentholated.

menthol

/ ˈmɛnθɒl /

noun

1. an optically active organic compound found in peppermint oil and used as an antiseptic, in inhalants, and as an analgesic. Formula: C 10 H 20 O

menthol

/ mĕn′thôl′ /

1. A white, crystalline compound obtained from peppermint oil. It is used as a flavoring and as a mild anesthetic. Chemical formula: C 10 H 20 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of menthol¹

1875–80; < New Latin Menth ( a ) ( mint ¹ ) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of menthol¹

C19: from German, from Latin mentha mint ¹

Example Sentences

Even before the menthol ban, there was fierce outcry from the tobacco and harm-reduction worlds over the FDA’s increasingly aggressive nicotine regulations.

From Time

In an effort to curb youth vaping, the FDA in the fall of 2018 put forth new restrictions, forbidding the sale of products in all flavors except mint, menthol, and tobacco in stores where minors can shop.

From Time

In early 2020, it all-out banned the sale of potentially youth-friendly flavored products—notably and controversially excluding menthol—used in pod-based systems, like market leader Juul.

From Time

The FDA’s menthol ban comes eight years after a citizen petition calling for such a move.

From Time

Found in the skin of many mammals, TRPM8 alerts the rest of the body to cold, but also gets activated by menthol, the chemical behind peppermint’s cooling sensation.

From Science News

Menthol is used in medicine to relieve pain, as in rheumatism, neuralgia, throat affections and toothache.

From Project Gutenberg

Evidently this imposingly named product is practically a lanolin ointment containing oil of wintergreen and menthol.

From Project Gutenberg

According to the statements of the manufacturers, Bengus Analgesic Balm contains menthol, salicylate of methyl and lanolin.

From Project Gutenberg

With a view to narcotizing them while in this condition, menthol was applied to the water but did not seem to have much effect.

From Project Gutenberg

Emmie was to keep menthol in it, Ethan said, and to sniff the aromatic remedy through the open-work inner lid of gold.

From Project Gutenberg