skatole

noun

ska·​tole ˈska-ˌtōl  ˈskā- 

variants or less commonly skatol

ˈska-ˌtȯl 

-ˌtōl,

ˈskā-

: a foul-smelling compound C₉H₉N found in the intestines and feces, in civet, and in several plants or made synthetically and used in perfumes as a fixative

Examples of skatole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The constantly present base notes are the short-chain straight and branched acids, cresol and other phenolics, and skatole. —Harold McGee, Wired, 6 Nov. 2020

Two protein by-products are especially emblematic of excrement: barnyardy cresol and fecal skatole. —Harold McGee, Wired, 6 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek skat-, skōr excrement — more at scatology

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

skatole

noun

ska·​tole ˈskat-ˌōl  ˈskāt- 

variants also skatol

-ˌȯl  -ˌōl 

: a foul-smelling compound C₉H₉N found in the intestines and feces, in civet, and in several plants or made synthetically and used in perfumes as a fixative