An
organic chemical containing one or more
hydroxyl groups (-OH). Alcohols can be
liquids, semisolids or
solids at
room temperature. Common alcohols include
ethanol ("grain alcohol," the type found in alcoholic beverages)
methanol (aka "wood alcohol," which can cause
blindness and other
nervous system damage if ingested) and
propanol.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.