rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycreosoteWood preservative
noun / verb

creosote

KREE-uh-soht/ˈkriːəsəʊt/

A tar-derived substance resulting from the heating or burning of organic material.

Creosote gives the wooden railroad tie a dark, oily sheen.

A dark treated wooden railway tie beside a sealed plain container, thick tar-like preservative sheen, no handling.
Etymology
creoGreekflesh
+soteGreekpreserver

The name means “flesh preserver”: creosote was used as an antiseptic and to preserve meat. Its name thus records a particular use of its preservative properties.

In context

Heartwood Files19:03
Creosote buildup is another area where mesquite outperforms what you might expect from such a dense, smoky wood.
The Firewood America Tried to Destroy and Couldn't — The History of Mesquite

More examples

  • Burning wood leaves creosote inside the chimney.
  • A thick buildup of creosote can catch fire.
  • Workers creosote the fence posts to protect them from rot.

Forms

creosote · creosotes · creosoted · creosoting

Similar words

tar
A broader sticky mixture from which creosote can be obtained.
soot
A powdery smoke residue rather than a tarry deposit.