Sphagnol
/ˈsfæɡ.nɒl/noun
A phenolic compound historically reported as occurring in sphagnum moss.
Did you know?Sphagnol was associated with sphagnum moss, whose remarkable absorbency made the plant useful in wound dressings, including during World War I.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφάγνος (sphágnos)
“A kind of moss, later identified with peat moss.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
sphagnum
“Moss; a botanical borrowing from Greek.”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Sphagnum
“The genus name for peat mosses.”
19th Century
Scientific English
sphagnol
“A chemical name formed from Sphagnum with the chemical suffix -ol, denoting an alcohol or phenolic compound.”
Modern English
English
sphagnol
“A rare technical term for a phenolic constituent associated with sphagnum moss.”
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