thymol

[ thahy-mohl, -mawl ]

/ ˈθaɪ moʊl, -mɔl /

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a colorless, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C10H14O, having a pungent, aromatic taste and odor, obtained from the oil distilled from thyme or prepared synthetically: used chiefly in perfumery, embalming, preserving biological specimens, and in medicine as a fungicide and antiseptic.

Nearby words

Origin of thymol

First recorded in 1855–60; thyme + -ol²

Also called thyme camphor, thymic acid

[tahy-mik] /ˈtaɪ mɪk/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for thymol

Large quantities of thymol are prepared in Germany, principally from the seeds of the Ptychotis ajowan.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
The cure of the disease is very easy; thymol is given, which weakens the hold of the worm, this being followed by Epsom salts.
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter
His results with phenol, thymol, and salicylic acid have been unfavorable.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 344, August 5, 1882|Various
When shaken with ether the thymol can be entirely removed, and obtained as a neutral volatile residue.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

Malefern, santonine, thymol and other anthelmintic remedies are prescribed.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for thymol

thymol

/ (ˈθaɪmɒl) /

noun

a white crystalline substance with an aromatic odour, obtained from the oil of thyme and used as a fungicide, antiseptic, and anthelmintic and in perfumery and embalming; 2-isopropylphenol. Formula: (CH 3) 2 CHC 6 H 3 (CH 3)OH

Word Origin for thymol

C19: from thyme + -ol ²

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

Medicine definitions for thymol

thymol

[ thī′môl′, -mōl′ ]

n.

A white crystalline aromatic compound derived from thyme oil and other oils or made synthetically and used as an antiseptic, a fungicide, and a preservative.