Definitions for: Creosote


[n] a dark oily liquid obtained by distillation of coal tar; used as a preservative for wood
[n] a colorless or yellowish oily liquid obtained by distillation of wood tar; used as an antiseptic
[v] treat with creosote; "creosoted wood"



Webster (1913) Definition: Cre"o*sote (kr?"?-s?t), n. [Gr. ???, gen. ???, flesh
+ ??? to preserve.] (Chem.)
Wood-tar oil; an oily antiseptic liquid, of a burning smoky
taste, colorless when pure, but usually colored yellow or
brown by impurity or exposure. It is a complex mixture of
various phenols and their ethers, and is obtained by the
distillation of wood tar, especially that of beechwood.

Note: It is remarkable as an antiseptic and deodorizer in the
preservation of wood, flesh, etc., and in the
prevention of putrefaction; but it is a poor germicide,
and in this respect has been overrated. Smoked meat, as
ham, owes its preservation and taste to a small
quantity of creosote absorbed from the smoke to which
it is exposed. Carbolic acid is phenol proper, while
creosote is a mixture of several phenols.

Coal-tar creosote (Chem.), a colorless or yellow, oily
liquid, obtained in the distillation of coal tar, and
resembling wood-tar oil, or creosote proper, in
composition and properties.


Cre"o*sote, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Creosoted
(-s?"t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Creosoting.]
To saturate or impregnate with creosote, as timber, for the
prevention of decay.

Synonyms: coal-tar creosote

See Also: organic compound, process, treat

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