creosote Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a colorless or yellowish oily liquid obtained by distillation of wood tar; used as an antiseptic
noun a dark oily liquid obtained by distillation of coal tar; used as a preservative for wood
coal-tar creosote.
verb treat with creosote
- creosoted wood

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. ✍ 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.

imperfect & past participle Creosoted present participle & verbal noun Creosoting

To saturate or impregnate with creosote, as timber, for the prevention of decay.