creosote

plural creosotes

1. countableuncountableA pale yellow oily liquid, containing phenols and similar compounds, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, once used medicinally.
2. countableuncountableA similar brown liquid obtained from coal tar used as a wood preservative.
3. countableThe creosote bush.

   On Shaw Butte, as elsewhere in the Phoenix area, creosotes are abundant, producing a plethora of small yellow flowers in late March and April.

   1994, John Alcock, Sonoran Desert Summer, page 88

   1 more example

   "King Clone," a creosote plant (Larrea tridentata) found in southwest California, was estimated in February 1980 by Prof. Frank C. Vasek to be 11,700 years old.

   1997, Norris McWhirter, The Guinness Book of World Records 1997, page 77

4. countableuncountableA flammable black porous brittle glassy byproduct of wood burning, typically formed inside chimneys.

present singular third person creosotes · participle present creosoting · participle past creosoted · past creosoted

1. transitiveTo apply creosote.

   As the fence is exposed he will creosote it for protection.

   1 more example

   Agnes was leaning over the creosoted garden gate …

   1907, E.M. Forster, The Longest Journey, Part I, III [Uniform ed., p. 45]