Definition

A harmful substance found in certain plants, like poison ivy, that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Example

Many people are allergic to urushiol, which can lead to rashes after contact with poison ivy.

Conversation

Did you know that urushiol is the reason people get rashes from poison ivy?

Yeah, I heard it's a pretty nasty substance.

I read that it's also found in some lacquers used for furniture.

That makes sense, I guess it’s important to be careful with those products!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Urushiol is derived from the Japanese word 'urushi' (漆), meaning lacquer, and the suffix '-ol', which is commonly used in organic chemistry to denote alcohols or phenolic compounds. Urushiol refers to the oily substance found in plants like poison ivy, which is responsible for allergic reactions.

Memory Tip

Think of 'urushi' as the Japanese word for lacquer, which helps you remember that urushiol is a substance that can cause a reaction similar to a lacquer's sticky nature.

Visually Confused Words