Pronunciation: ˌ p ī -r ō - ' lig-n ē - ə s-
Function: noun
Etymology: French pyroligneux, from pyr- + ligneux woody, from Latin lignosus, from lignum wood ― more at LIGNEOUS
Date: 1788
: an acid reddish-brown aqueous liquid containing chiefly acetic acid, methanol, wood oils, and tars that is obtained by destructive distillation of wood