ˈmenˌthȯl, -thōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: German, from New Latin Mentha + German -ol
: a secondary terpenoid alcohol C 10 H 19 OH that is known in 12 optically isomeric forms including (1) a crystalline levorotatory form that has the odor and cooling properties of peppermint, that occurs naturally especially in peppermint oil and Japanese mint oil as the principal constituent and is also made synthetically (as from citronellal), and that is used chiefly in medicine (as locally to relieve pain, itching, and nasal congestion) and in flavoring and (2) a crystalline racemic form made synthetically (as by reduction of thymol) and used similarly to the natural form; 3- para -menthanol — called also respectively (1) levo-menthol, l-menthol, mint camphor, peppermint camphor and (2) dl-menthol