Definition

A natural compound found in certain lichens, used in making dyes and in some chemical tests.

Example

Orcinol is often used in laboratories for various chemical reactions.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of orcinol?

Yes, I think it’s something found in lichen, right?

Exactly! It's used in some chemical tests too.

That’s interesting! I didn’t know it had so many uses.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Orcinol is derived from 'orcin' (from Latin 'orcinus', meaning a type of lichen) and '-ol' (a suffix used in chemistry to denote alcohols). The word refers to a specific chemical compound derived from orcin, which is obtained from lichens.

Memory Tip

Think of 'orcin' as relating to a type of lichen, and remember that 'orcinol' is a chemical compound derived from it, hence linking the two.

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