creosote
See also: créosote
English
Etymology
Coined in 1832 by Carl Reichenbach as German Kreosot, a learned formation from Ancient Greek κρέας (kréas, “flesh”) + σωτήρ (sōtḗr, “preserver”), after the substance's antiseptic quality. Adopted in English by 1835.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkɹiːəˌsəʊt/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɹiːəˌsoʊt/
Noun
creosote (countable and uncountable, plural creosotes)
- A pale yellow oily liquid, containing phenols and similar compounds, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, once used medicinally.
- A similar brown liquid obtained from coal tar used as a wood preservative.
- 1907, E.M. Forster, The Longest Journey, Part I, III [Uniform ed., p. 45]:
- Agnes was leaning over the creosoted garden gate …
- 1907, E.M. Forster, The Longest Journey, Part I, III [Uniform ed., p. 45]:
- (countable) The creosote bush.
- 1994, John Alcock, Sonoran Desert Summer (page 88)
- On Shaw Butte, as elsewhere in the Phoenix area, creosotes are abundant, producing a plethora of small yellow flowers in late March and April.
- 1994, John Alcock, Sonoran Desert Summer (page 88)
Translations
liquid obtained from wood or tar
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Verb
creosote (third-person singular simple present creosotes, present participle creosoting, simple past and past participle creosoted)
- To apply creosote.
- As the fence is exposed he will creosote it for protection.
Translations
to apply creosote
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Related terms
- creosote bush
Anagrams
- e-scooter
Spanish
Verb
creosote
- inflection of creosotar:
- first/third-person singular present subjunctive
- third-person singular imperative