Thymol
/ˈθaɪ.mɒl/noun
A fragrant crystalline compound found in thyme oil, used as an antiseptic and in flavorings.
Did you know?Thymol was named after thyme because the herb’s powerful aroma made it a classic source of essential oil chemistry, while thyme itself traces back to Greek words linked with perfume and sacrificial smoke.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
θύμος (thýmos) / θύμον (thýmon)
“Thyme, the aromatic herb”
Late Latin
Latin
thymum
“Thyme”
18th–19th Century
French/English
thymol
“A chemical substance obtained from thyme oil”
Modern English
English
thymol
“A phenolic compound from thyme oil used as an antiseptic and in flavoring”