creosote

Coined in 1832 by Carl Reichenbach as German Kreosot, a learned formation from Ancient Greek κρέας (kréas, “flesh”) + σωτήρ (sōtḗr, “preserver”), after the substance's antiseptic quality. Adopted in English by 1835.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɹiːəˌsəʊt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkɹiːəˌsoʊt/

creosote (countable and uncountable, plural creosotes)

1. A pale yellow oily liquid, containing phenols and similar compounds, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, once used medicinally.
2. A similar brown liquid obtained from coal tar used as a wood preservative.
3. (uncountable) The creosote bush.

creosote (third-person singular simple present creosotes, present participle creosoting, simple past and past participle creosoted)

1. To apply creosote.

   As the fence is exposed he will creosote it for protection.

• creosote bush

creosote

1. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of creosotar.
2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of creosotar.
3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of creosotar.
4. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of creosotar.