/nuy'treuh fee"nawl, -nol/ , n. Chem.
1. any compound derived from phenol by the replacement of one or more of its ring hydrogen atoms by the nitro group.
2. any of three water-soluble, crystalline isomers of such a derivative, having the formula C 6 H 5 NO 3 , occurring in yellow (ortho-nitrophenol) , pale-yellow (meta-nitrophenol) , and yellowish (para-nitrophenol) solids, used chiefly as intermediates in organic synthesis and as indicators.
[ 1850-55; NITRO- + PHENOL ]