| Phenol | n. [ Gr. fai`nein to show + -ol: cf. F. phénol. ] (Chem.) 1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, C6H5OH, produced by the destructive distillation of many organic bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy oil from coal tar. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote, which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is of the type of alcohols, and is called also phenyl alcohol, but has acid properties, and hence is popularly called carbolic acid, and was formerly called phenic acid. It is a powerful caustic poison, and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which phenol proper is the type. [ 1913 Webster ]
Glacial phenol (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or carbolic acid. --
Phenol acid (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which are at once a derivative of phenol and an organic acid; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol acid. --
Phenol alcohol (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol. --
Phenol aldehyde (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds having both phenol and aldehyde properties. --
Phenol phthalein. See phenolphthalein. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Phenology | n. [ Contracted from Phenomenology. ] (Biol.) The science of the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena, as the migrations and breeding of birds, the flowering and fruiting of plants, etc. -- Phe`no*log"ic*al a. -- Phe`no*log"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Phe*nol"o*gist n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] |
| Phenol phthalein | or ., n. (Chem.) A white or yellowish white crystalline substance, C20H14O4, formed by condensation of the anhydride of phthalic acid and phenol. Its solution in alkalies is brilliant red, but is decolorized by acids. This reaction, being very delicate, is used as a pH indicator. It is sometimes used as a laxative in veterinary medicine. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ] Variants: Phenolphthalein |
