/ kɑːˈbɒlɪk; NAmE kɑːrˈbɑːlɪk/ (also carˌbolic ˈacid ) noun
[ U ] a chemical that kills bacteria, used as an antiseptic and as a disinfectant (= to prevent infection from spreading) :
carbolic soap
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from carbo- (representing carbon) + -ol + -ic .