creosote etymology

Etymology:

  • From French créosote, from Greek κρέας (kreas) "flesh" + σωτήρ (sōtēr) "savior, preserver".

Meaning and Origin:

Creosote is a toxic, colorless liquid that is found in the tar of wood and coal. It was first isolated in 1831 by the French chemist Carl Reichenbach. Reichenbach named the substance "creosote" because he believed it had antiseptic properties that could "preserve flesh" (from Greek kreas, meaning "flesh" and sōtēr, meaning "savior").

Creosote is a complex mixture of more than 200 compounds, including phenols, guaiacols, and cresols. It is used as a wood preservative and as an ingredient in disinfectants and antiseptic solutions. However, creosote is also toxic to humans and animals, and it has been linked to cancer and other health problems.

In the past, creosote was widely used as a treatment for tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. However, it is no longer used for this purpose due to its toxicity. Today, creosote is primarily used as a wood preservative and as an ingredient in some disinfectants and antiseptic solutions.

creosote relate terms

  • creatine

    Etymology From Ancient Greek κρέας kreas meaning flesh Meaning A natural

  • creosote

  • crude

    Etymology The word crude has its origins in the Latin word crūdus meaning raw or

  • cruel

    Etymology The word cruel comes from the Middle French word cruel and that in turn fr

  • ecru

    Etymology The word ecru originated from the French term écru which means unbleach

  • pancreas

    Etymology The word pancreas comes from the Greek words pan πᾶν meaning all

  • recrudesce

    Etymology Latin recrudescere re again crudescere to become raw to grow wo

  • recrudescence

    Etymology The word recrudescence comes from the Latin word recrudescere meaning to

  • butter

    Etymology The word butter comes from the Latin butyrum which is derived from the Gre

  • contumely

    Etymology Latin contumelia insult abuse Proto Indo European ḱent to be shar

  • creosote

  • intumescence

    Etymology The word intumescence is derived from Latin intumescentia a swelling

  • intumescent

    Etymology Latin intumescere to swell up Participle intumescens swelling Mea

  • protuberance

    Etymology Protuberance comes from the Latin word protuberare meaning to bulge out

  • protuberant

    Etymology The word protuberant comes from the Latin word protuberare meaning to swe

  • psychosomatic

    Etymology The word psychosomatic is derived from two Greek words Psyche Meaning m

  • somato

    Etymology The word somato is derived from the Greek word σῶμα sōma meaning

  • soteriology

    Etymology soteriology n from Greek sōtēria salvation ology study of

  • thigh

    Etymology The word thigh comes from the Old English word þēoh which is related to

  • thimble

    Etymology The word thimble comes from the Old English word thȳmel which means thum

  • thousand

    Etymology The word thousand comes from the Old English word þūsend which is cogna

  • thole

    Etymology The word thole comes from the Greek word thōlē meaning pin or peg

  • thumb

    Etymology The word thumb is derived from the Old English word þuma which in turn c

  • tumescent

    Etymology The word tumescent derives from the Latin word tumescere meaning to swell

  • tumid

    Etymology Latin tumidus meaning swollen puffed up Proto Indo European tew

  • tumor

    Etymology Greek tumor swelling Meaning An abnormal mass of tissue that result

  • truffle

    Etymology The word truffle is derived from the Latin word tubera which was used to r

  • tuber

    Etymology The word tuber derives from the Latin word tuber meaning a hump or a lu

  • tuberculosis

    Etymology Tubercle Latin tuberculum meaning small bump osis Medical suffix deno

  • tumult

    Etymology Latin tumultus from tumere to swell Proto Indo European te m to swell

  • tyrosine

    Etymology Greek τυρός tyros meaning cheese Latin tyrosinum Meaning An

  • process

    Etymology The word process comes from the Latin word processus meaning advancement

  • treat

    Etymology The word treat comes from the Middle English word treten meaning to handl

  • galaxy

    Etymology The word galaxy comes from the Greek word galaxias which means milky

  • harlequin

    Etymology The word harlequin originates from the French word arlequin which in turn

  • magistrate

    Etymology The word magistrate is derived from the Latin word magistratus which orig

  • pretty

    Etymology Old English prættig Middle English prettie Meaning Physically attra

  • dandy

    Etymology The word dandy is derived from the Scottish dander meaning to strut abou

  • rest

    Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to

  • dedication

    Etymology The word dedication comes from the Latin word dedicatio which means a set