thiol

noun

1
: any of various compounds having the general formula RSH which are analogous to alcohols but in which sulfur replaces the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and which have disagreeable odors
2
: the functional group −SH characteristic of thiols
thiolic adjective

Examples of thiol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For those who aren’t beer nerds, thiols are compounds in hops that are very aromatic. Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2024 One example is the enzyme carbon-sulfur-lyase, which takes flavorless molecules present in malt and hops and frees flavorful components called thiols that in beer taste like tropical fruit. Anna Kramer, WIRED, 18 July 2023 The skunk bath recipe works by oxidizing the thiols into compounds called disulfides, which are not so smelly. Janine M. Kahn, Good Housekeeping, 10 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary thi- + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thiol was circa 1890

Dictionary Entries Near thiol

Cite this Entry

“Thiol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thiol. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

thiol

noun
1
: any of a class of compounds that are analogous to alcohols and phenols but contain sulfur in place of oxygen with the general formula RSH and in the case of those of low molecular weight have very disagreeable odors

called also mercaptan

2
: the functional group −SH characteristic of thiols
thiolic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on thiol

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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