ˌtərˈpinēˌȯl, -ˌōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary terpine, terpin + -ol
: any of three fragrant isomeric unsaturated low-melting crystalline terpenoid alcohols C 10 H 17 OH or a viscous liquid commercial mixture containing them obtained from terpin or terpin hydrate by dehydration and used chiefly in perfumes, in soap, in denaturing alcohol, and as a solvent:
a. : the isomer that is the principal component of the commercial mixture, that has an odor of lilacs, that occurs in many essential oils in three optically isomeric forms and in the form of esters, that is obtained also from pine oil by distillation or from pinene by hydration, and that is used chiefly in perfumes; 1- para -menthen-8-ol — called also alpha-terpineol
b. : an isomer having an odor of hyacinths — called also beta-terpineol
c. : an isomer having an odor of lilacs similar to that of alpha-terpineol — called also gamma-terpineol