menthol

/ˈmɛnθɒl/

menthol

English Noun Top 34,896

Definition

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.

Etymology

From Latin mentha (“mint”) + -ol.