Creosote Meaning
/ˈkɹiːəˌsəʊt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA pale yellow oily liquid, containing phenols and similar compounds, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, once used medicinally.
nounA similar brown liquid obtained from coal tar used as a wood preservative.
Sentence Examples
As the fence is exposed he will creosote it for protection.
The workers treated the wooden fence with creosote for protection.
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The strong smell of ____ filled the air near the railroad ties in the sun.
Word Origin & History
From German Kreosot in the 1830s, coined in 1832 by German natural philosopher Carl Ludwig, Baron Reichenbach, from Ancient Greek κρέας (kréas, “flesh”) + σωτήρ (sōtḗr, “preserver”) for its use as an antiseptic and meat-preservative. The creosote bush was named after its scent. By surface analysis, containing creo-.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"On Shaw Butte, as elsewhere in the Phoenix area, creosotes are abundant, producing a plethora of small yellow flowers in late March and April."
— 1994, John Alcock, Sonoran Desert Summer, page 88:
""King Clone," a creosote plant (Larrea tridentata) found in southwest California, was estimated in February 1980 by Prof. Frank C. Vasek to be 11,700 years old."
— 1997, Norris McWhirter, The Guinness Book of World Records 1997, page 77:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The strong smell of ____ filled the air near the railroad ties in the sun.