a colorless, thick, oily liquid, C10H14O, having a mintlike odor: used chiefly as a disinfectant, as a fungicide, and as a scent in the manufacture of perfume.
Origin: 1850–55; < ML caru(i) caraway+ L acr- (s. of acer sharp; see acrid) + -ol1
car·va·crol (kär'və-krôl', -krōl') n. An aromatic phenolic compound, C10H14O, found in plants such as oregano and savory and used in flavorings and fungicides.
[New Latin carvi (specific epithet of (Carum) carvi, caraway, from Medieval Latin; see caraway) + Latin ācer, acr-, sharp; see ak- in Indo-European roots + -ol1.]
Main Entry: car·va·crol Pronunciation: 'kär-v&-"krol, -"krOl Function: noun : a liquid phenol C10H14O found inessential oils of various mints (as thyme) and used as a fungicide and disinfectant