creosote(redirected from creosotic)
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creosote(krē`əsōt), volatile, heavy, oily liquid obtained by the distillation of coal tar or wood tar. Creosote derived from beechwood tar has been used medicinally as an antiseptic and in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. Creosote obtained from coal tar is poisonous. It is used chiefly as a preservative for wood, e.g., in fence posts, railroad ties, and telephone poles, in which it provides protection against fungi, shipworms, and termites, and is also used as a pesticide and to treat psoriasis. Creosote is considered to be highly toxic and a likely carcinogen. It can leach out into the surrounding soil and groundwater, and the fumes exuded will kill young plants in close proximity.
A distillate of coal tar, used as a wood preservative.
A colorless or yellowish oily liquid containing a mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by distillation of tar; commercial creosote is distilled from coal tar, and pharmaceutical creosote is distilled from wood tar.
An oily liquid obtained by distilling coal tar; used to impregnate wood (as a preservative) and to waterproof materials. Also called dead oil and pitch oil.
1. a colourless or pale yellow liquid mixture with a burning taste and penetrating odour distilled from wood tar, esp from beechwood, contains creosol and other phenols, and is used as an antiseptic
2. a thick dark liquid mixture prepared from coal tar, containing phenols: used as a preservative for wood