ˈpiˌrōl, -ˌrȯl, pə̇ˈr- noun
( -s )
Etymology: pyrrh- + -ole
1. : a colorless toxic liquid heterocyclic compound C 4 H 5 N that contains four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom in the ring, that has an odor suggestive of chloroform, that darkens in air and forms red polymers in the presence of acids, that is obtained by distillation of coal tar or bone oil or by synthesis (as by reaction of ammonia with furan over alumina), and that is the parent of many natural compounds (as the bile pigments, porphyrins, heme, chlorophyll, indigo, a few amino acids, and a few alkaloids) — compare indole , structural formula
2. : a derivative of pyrrole ; especially : a homologue of pyrrole (as cryptopyrrole or hemopyrrole)
• pyr·rolic (ˈ)pi|rōlik, pəˈr-, -räl- adjective