urushiol

[ oo-roo-shee-awl, -ol ]

noun

1. a toxic, liquid, catechol derivative, the active irritant principle in several species of the plant genus Rhus, as in poison ivy.

urushiol

/ uːˈruː-; ˈuːrʊʃɪˌɒl /

noun

1. a poisonous pale yellow liquid occurring in poison ivy and the lacquer tree

urushiol

/ -ro̅o̅′shē-ôl′,-ōl′ /

1. A toxic substance present in the resin or on the surface of plants of the genus Rhus (syn. Toxicodendron ). Urushiol is a mixture of several derivatives of catechol and is the irritating substance in poison ivy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of urushiol¹

1910–15; < Japanese urushi lacquer + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of urushiol¹

from Japanese urushi lacquer + -ol ²

Example Sentences

The oily substance it contains, urushiol, tends to cause more intense reactions over time and it affects up to 90 percent of people.

From National Geographic

Mango skin contains a chemical called urushiol, which can cause an allergic reaction similar to that of poison ivy in some people.

From Salon

After a bit of research, we were able to conclude that the reaction was caused by the urushiol oil on the skin of a mango!

From Scientific American

Mangos, cashews and pistachios can contain small amounts of urushiol.

From Scientific American

Among recent discoveries: surprising pathways that cause the itchy rash, new targets for treatment and—be still, my heart—a vaccine in development that aims to prevent the urushiol reaction.

From Scientific American