Chapter Phelloderm to Philomathy of P by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Phenogamian
(Phen`o*ga"mi*an Phen`o*gam"ic) Phenogamous
(Phe*nog"a*mous) , a. Same as Phænogamian, Phænogamic, etc.

Phenol
(Phe"nol) n. [Gr. to show + - ol: cf. F. phénol.] (Chem.)

1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, C₆H₅OH, produced by the destructive distillation of many organic bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy oil from coal tar.

It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote, which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is of the type of alcohols, and is called also phenyl alcohol, but has acid properties, and hence is popularly called carbolic acid, and was formerly called phenic acid. It is a powerful caustic poison, and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.

2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which phenol proper is the type.

Glacial phenol (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or carbolic acid. — Phenol acid (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of the fatty acid series; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol acid. — Phenol alcohol (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol. — Phenol aldehyde (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds having both phenol and aldehyde properties. - - Phenol phthalein. See under Phthalein.

Phenolate
(Phe"no*late) n. [Phenol + -ate.] (Chem.) A compound of phenol analogous to a salt.

Phenomenal
(Phe*nom"e*nal) a. [Cf. F. phénoménal.] Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory. — Phe*nom"e*nal*ly, adv.

Phenomenalism
(Phe*nom"e*nal*ism) n. (Metaph.) That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to phenomena only, whether material or spiritual.

Phenomenist
(Phe*nom"e*nist) n. One who believes in the theory of phenomenalism.

Phenomenology
(Phe*nom`e*nol"o*gy) n. [Phenomenon + -logy: cf. F. phénoménologie.] A description, history, or explanation of phenomena. "The phenomenology of the mind." Sir W. Hamilton.

Phenomenon
(Phe*nom"e*non) n.; pl. Phenomena [L. phaenomenon, Gr. faino`menon, fr. fai`nesqai to appear, fai`nein to show. See Phantom.]

1. An appearance; anything visible; whatever, in matter or spirit, is apparent to, or is apprehended by, observation; as, the phenomena of heat, light, or electricity; phenomena of imagination or memory.

In the phenomena of the material world, and in many of the phenomena of mind.

Stewart.

2. That which strikes one as strange, unusual, or unaccountable; an extraordinary or very remarkable person, thing, or occurrence; as, a musical phenomenon.

Phenose
(Phe"nose`) n. [Phenyl + dextrose.] (Chem.) A sweet amorphous deliquescent substance obtained indirectly from benzene, and isometric with, and resembling, dextrose.

Phenyl
(Phe"nyl) n. [Gr. to bring to light + -yl: cf. F. phényle. So called because it is a by-product of illuminating gas.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical (C₆H₅) regarded as the essential residue of benzene, and the basis of an immense number of aromatic derivatives.

Phenyl hydrate (Chem.), phenol or carbolic acid. — Phenyl hydrazine (Chem.), a nitrogenous base (C₆H₅.N₂H₃) produced artificially as a colorless oil which unites with acids, ketones, etc., to form well-crystallized compounds.