hydroxyl Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the monovalent group -OH in such compounds as bases and some acids and alcohols
    hydroxyl radical; hydroxyl group.

WordNet

Hy*drox"yl noun
Etymology
Hydro-, 2 + oxygen + -yl.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A compound radical, or unsaturated group, HO, consisting of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen. It is a characteristic part of the hydrates, the alcohols, the oxygen acids, etc.

Webster 1913