urushiol

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʊˈɹuːʃiˌɔl/

Noun

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 organic compounds.
   • 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.

Coordinate terms

• anacardic acid

Translations

oil causing allergic rash

• Dutch: urushiol n

• Spanish: urushiol m

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Dutch

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /yryɕiˈɔl/

Noun

urushiol n (uncountable)

1. (organic chemistry) urushiol

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Spanish

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /uɾuˈʃjol/, /uɾuˈsjol/

Noun

urushiol m (plural urushioles)

1. (organic chemistry) urushiol