urushiol

[oo-roo-shee-awl, -ol]

noun

1. a toxic, liquid, catechol derivative, the active irritant principle in several species of the plant genus Rhus, as in poison ivy.

urushiol

/ uːˈruː-, ˈuːrʊʃɪˌɒl /

noun

1. a poisonous pale yellow liquid occurring in poison ivy and the lacquer tree

urushiol

1. A toxic substance present in the resin or on the surface of plants of the genus Rhus (syn. Toxicodendron). Urushiol is a mixture of several derivatives of catechol and is the irritating substance in poison ivy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of urushiol¹

1910–15; < Japanese urushi lacquer + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of urushiol¹

from Japanese urushi lacquer + _-ol ²

Example Sentences

The oily substance it contains, urushiol, tends to cause more intense reactions over time and it affects up to 90 percent of people.

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Mango skin contains a chemical called urushiol, which can cause an allergic reaction similar to that of poison ivy in some people.

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After a bit of research, we were able to conclude that the reaction was caused by the urushiol oil on the skin of a mango!

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Mangos, cashews and pistachios can contain small amounts of urushiol.

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Among recent discoveries: surprising pathways that cause the itchy rash, new targets for treatment and—be still, my heart—a vaccine in development that aims to prevent the urushiol reaction.

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