\Phe"nol\, n. [Gr. ? to show + -ol: cf. F. ph['e]nol.]
(Chem.)
1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, {C6H5OH},
   produced by the destructive distillation of many organic
   bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy
   oil from coal tar.
Note: It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote,
      which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is
      of the type of alcohols, and is called also {phenyl
      alcohol}, but has acid properties, and hence is
      popularly called {carbolic acid}, and was formerly
      called {phenic acid}. It is a powerful caustic poison,
      and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.
2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which
   phenol proper is the type.
{Glacial phenol} (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or
   carbolic acid.
{Phenol acid} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which
   are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of
   the fatty acid series; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol
   acid.
{Phenol alcohol} (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of
   phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both
   combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol.
{Phenol aldehyde} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds
   having both phenol and aldehyde properties.
{Phenol phthalein}. See under {Phthalein}.