urushiol

From Japanese 漆 (うるし, urushi, “lacquer tree”) + -ol.

• IPA^(key): /ʊˈɹuːʃiˌɔl/

urushiol (countable and uncountable, plural urushiols)

1. (organic chemistry) An oil found in plants of the family Anacardiaceae, causing an allergic skin rash on contact; consists of a variable mixture of several related organic compounds.

   Synonym: toxicodendrol

   • 1986, Francine Brown, Skin Care:

     All three produce an oil, called urushiol, that is a potent allergen. Urushiol is most abundant in the leaves and stems of these plants...

   • 1993, Jacquelyn G. Black, Microbiology: principles and applications

     Poison ivy vines also contain the irritating oil urushiol, so it is important to be able to recognize them in winter.

   • 2000, C. Franklin Goldsmith, Shannon E. G. Hamrick, H. James Hamrick, The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest

     Upon exposure to air, urushiol can turn dark brown, which makes it easier to spot.

• anacardic acid

From Japanese 漆 (うるし, urushi, “lacquer tree”), and the chemical suffix -ol.

• IPA^(key): /yryʃiˈɔl/

urushiol n (uncountable)

1. (organic chemistry) urushiol

From Japanese 漆 (うるし, urushi, “lacquer tree”), and the chemical suffix -ol.

• IPA^(key): /uɾuˈʃjol/ [u.ɾuˈʃjol], /uɾuˈsjol/ [u.ɾuˈsjol]
• Rhymes: -ol
• Syllabification: u‧ru‧shiol

urushiol m (plural urushioles)

1. (organic chemistry) urushiol