methyl salicylate

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, water-soluble liquid, C 8 H 8 O 3 , produced synthetically or by maceration and subsequent distillation from birch or gaultheria: used chiefly in perfumery and flavoring, and in medicine as a counterirritant in external preparations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of methyl salicylate¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Inactive ingredients include turpentine oil and methyl salicylate.

From Seattle Times

The menthol and methyl salicylate trigger a cooling sensation.

From Seattle Times

For gingivitis, Consumer Reports’ consultants advise that you consider a mouth rinse with stannous fluoride, cetylpyridinium chloride or the essential oils thymol, menthol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate.

From Washington Post

Another option: OTC creams containing capsaicin or methyl salicylate.

From Washington Post

"When plants have the bacteria in them they produce a volatile called methyl salicylate and psyllids find this very attractive."

From BBC