indole

[ in-dohl ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless to yellowish solid, C 8 H 7 N, having a low melting point and a fecal odor, found in the oil of jasmine and clove and as a putrefaction product from animals' intestines: used in perfumery and as a reagent.

indole

/ ˈɪndəʊl; ˈɪndəʊl; -dɒl /

noun

1. a white or yellowish crystalline heterocyclic compound extracted from coal tar and used in perfumery, medicine, and as a flavouring agent; 1-benzopyrrole. Formula: C 8 H 7 N

indole

/ ĭn′dōl′ /

1. A white crystalline compound obtained from coal tar or various plants and produced by the bacterial decomposition of tryptophan in the intestine. It is used in the perfume industry and as a reagent. Chemical formula: C 8 H 7 N.
2. Any of various derivatives of this compound.

Word History and Origins

Origin of indole¹

First recorded in 1865–70; ind- + -ole ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of indole¹

C19: from ind ( igo ) + -ole ¹

Example Sentences

Quaecunque in Germanorum indole admiranda atque imitanda fere censemus, ea in Doellingero maxime splendent.

From Project Gutenberg

Beyond the fact that when they are hydrolyzed they yield quinoline and indole, their composition is unknown.

From Project Gutenberg

Hahn, A.—De Rationalismi, qui dicitur, vera indole et qua cum naturalismo contineatur ratione.

From Project Gutenberg