Definition of "geraniol" [ge•ra•ni•ol]

• A fragrant, pale yellow liquid alcohol, C9H17COH, derived chiefly from the oils of geranium and citronella and used in cosmetics and flavorings. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The transgenic tomato includes a gene from a variety of lemon basil, Ocimum basilicum, that produces an aroma-making enzyme called geraniol synthase, Efraim Lewinsohn of Newe Yaar Research Center and colleagues report."
• "I look for products that contain lemongrass oil and geraniol, these work quite well without that skincrawling feeling I get from Deet."
• "Besides its popular applications for digestive distress, ginger has been found to contain geraniol, which may be a potent cancer fighter."