WOOD ALCOHOL Meaning and
Definition
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Wood alcohol, also known as methanol, is a colorless, volatile liquid alcohol primarily consisting of one carbon atom, three hydrogen atoms, and an oxygen atom (CH3OH). It is produced through the destructive distillation of wood and other organic materials, such as coal or natural gas. Wood alcohol possesses unique properties that make it suitable for various applications, although it is primarily used as a solvent, antifreeze, and fuel.
In industrial settings, wood alcohol serves as a crucial ingredient in the production of formaldehyde, used in the manufacturing of resins and plastics. Additionally, it is utilized as a denaturant for ethanol, rendering it unsuitable for human consumption. Wood alcohol is also used as an antifreeze in automobile radiators, preventing the freezing of the coolant solution.
However, wood alcohol poses significant health risks if ingested or inhaled, as it is highly toxic and can lead to severe poisoning. When metabolized by the human body, it converts to formaldehyde, which can cause organ damage and even death. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. If exposed to high concentrations, wood alcohol can lead to blindness or even irreversible damage to the central nervous system.
Given its potentially lethal nature, wood alcohol should only be handled with extreme caution and in strictly controlled environments.
Common Misspellings for WOOD ALCOHOL
- qood alcohol
- aood alcohol
- sood alcohol
- eood alcohol
- 3ood alcohol
- 2ood alcohol
- wiod alcohol
- wkod alcohol
- wlod alcohol
- wpod alcohol
- w0od alcohol
- w9od alcohol
- woid alcohol
- wokd alcohol
- wold alcohol
- wopd alcohol
- wo0d alcohol
- wo9d alcohol
- woos alcohol
Etymology of WOOD ALCOHOL
The word "wood alcohol" is derived from "wood" and "alcohol".
The term "wood" refers to the material obtained from the trees, particularly the hard fibrous substance that makes up the stems and branches. It comes from the Old English word "wudu", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "widuz".
The term "alcohol" has a more complex etymology. It is derived from the Arabic word "al-kohl", which is a powder used as eyeliner, but it also referred to a fine metallic powder and later to a spirit of wine. This term was later borrowed into Middle English as "alko(h)ol" from Old French "alcool" or "alkool", which denoted a fine powder produced through sublimation. Eventually, "alcohol" came to be associated specifically with ethanol, the chemical compound found in alcoholic beverages.
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