menthol
noun/ˈmɛnθɒl/
Etymology From Latin mentha (“mint”) + -ol.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences A cyclic monoterpene alcohol; the major component of the essential oil of peppermint; used in pharmaceutical preparations as an antitussive and antipruritic agent, as a nasal decongestant, and in menthol cigarettes.
2
A menthol cigarette.
- Derived terms
- dextromenthol, isomenthol, levomenthol, mentholate, mentholation, menthyl, neomenthol, nonmenthol, racementhol