glycerol

[ glis-uh-rawl, -rol ]
/ ˈglɪs əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /

noun

a colorless, odorless, syrupy, sweet liquid, C3H8O3, usually obtained by the saponification of natural fats and oils: used for sweetening and preserving food, in the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, inks, and certain glues and cements, as a solvent and automobile antifreeze, and in medicine in suppositories and skin emollients.
Also called glycerin, glycerine.

Origin of glycerol

First recorded in 1880–85; glycer(in) + -ol1

Example sentences from the Web for glycerol

British Dictionary definitions for glycerol

glycerol
/ (ˈɡlɪsəˌrɒl) /

noun

a colourless or pale yellow odourless sweet-tasting syrupy liquid; 1,2,3-propanetriol: a by-product of soap manufacture, used as a solvent, antifreeze, plasticizer, and sweetener (E422). Formula: C 3 H 8 O 3 Also called (not in technical usage): glycerine, glycerin

Word Origin for glycerol

C19: from glycer ( ine) + -ol 1

Medical definitions for glycerol

glycerol
[ glĭsə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]

n.

A sweet syrupy fluid obtained by the saponification of fats and fixed oils, used as a solvent, a skin emollient, and as a vehicle and sweetening agent; it is also used by injection or in suppository form for constipation and orally to reduce ocular tension.

Scientific definitions for glycerol

glycerol
[ glĭsə-rôl′ ]

A sweet, syrupy liquid obtained from animal fats and oils or by the fermentation of glucose. It is used as a solvent, sweetener, and antifreeze and in making explosives and soaps. Glycerol consists of a propane molecule attached to three hydroxyl (OH) groups. Also called glycerin, glycerine. Chemical formula: C3H8O3.