cresol

American  

[kree-sawl, -sol] / ˈkri sɔl, -sɒl /

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.

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cresol British  

/ ˈkriːsɒl /

noun

1. Also called: cresylic acid.  Systematic name: methylphenol.  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

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Etymology

Origin of cresol

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cresol

By treating fibers with several chemicals, including cresol, alcohol, benzol and hydrochloric acid, he converts them into a resinous plastic.

From Time Magazine Archive

After a pause of a few beats he says, “It’s caused by a cresol compound used by a manufacturer.”

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

For this purpose a 0.5 per cent solution of the compound solution of cresol or of Lugol's solution has been found satisfactory.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

And in the same way the cresol first breaks down to toluene in the presence of the carbon, and this in turn is broken down by the heat to benzene.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 794, March 21, 1891 by Various

Lysol is a compound of cresol and linseed-oil soap, and is much less toxic than carbolic acid.

From Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Robertson, W. G. Aitchison (William George Aitchison )