— phenolic /fi noh"lik, -nol"ik/ , adj.
/fee"nawl, -nol/ , n. Chem.
1. Also called carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, oxybenzene, phenylic acid . a white, crystalline, water-soluble, poisonous mass, C 6 H 5 OH, obtained from coal tar, or a hydroxyl derivative of benzene: used chiefly as a disinfectant, as an antiseptic, and in organic synthesis.
2. any analogous hydroxyl derivative of benzene.
[ 1850-55; PHEN- + -OL 1 ]