resorcinol

[ ri-zawr-suh-nawl, -nol ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, needlelike, water-soluble solid, C 6 H 6 O 2 , a benzene derivative originally obtained from certain resins, now usually synthesized: used chiefly in making dyes, as a reagent, in tanning, in the synthesis of certain resins, and in medicine in treating certain skin conditions; meta-dihydroxybenzene.

resorcinol

/ rɪˈzɔːsɪˌnɒl /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline phenol with a sweet taste, used in making dyes, drugs, resins, and adhesives. Formula: C 6 H 4 (OH) 2 ; relative density: 1.27; melting pt: 111°C; boiling pt at 1 atm.: 276°C

Derived Forms

• reˈsorcinal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of resorcinol¹

First recorded in 1880–85; res(in) + orcinol

Word History and Origins

Origin of resorcinol¹

C19: New Latin, from resin + orcinol

Example Sentences

The other compound, resorcinol, was known to chemistry ten years before it was utilized as a source of colouring-matters.

From Project Gutenberg

The dye introduced by Caro in 1874 is the brominated phthaleïn of resorcinol.

From Project Gutenberg