menthol: Meaning and Definition of

men•thol

Pronunciation: (men'thôl, -thol), [key]
— n.
  1. Also calleda colorless, crystalline, slightly water-soluble alcohol, CHO, obtained from peppermint oil or synthesized: used chiefly in perfumes, confections, cigarettes, and liqueurs and in medicine for colds and nasal disorders for its cooling effect on mucous membranes.
  2. a mentholated cigarette.
—adj.
  1. containing menthol; mentholated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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