Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A white crystalline organic compound, C9H9N, having a strong fecal odor, found naturally in feces, beets, and coal tar and used as a fixative in the manufacture of perfume.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry A mildly toxic white crystalline organic compound of the indole family, occurring naturally in faeces and coal tar.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Greek skōr, skat-, dung; see sker- in Indo-European roots + –ole.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Ancient Greek σκῶρ (skōr, "excrement") + -ole

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Examples

  • The other culprit in boar taint is something called skatole, which is produced when pigs digest food, but it can be controlled with diet.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Anne McIlroy 2009

  • Pasture-feeding, particularly on alfalfa and clover, increases the levels of a compound called skatole, which also contributes a barnyardy element to pork flavor, while lambs finished on grain for a month before slaughter are milder.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • Pasture-feeding, particularly on alfalfa and clover, increases the levels of a compound called skatole, which also contributes a barnyardy element to pork flavor, while lambs finished on grain for a month before slaughter are milder.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • •The characteristic odor is attributed to trace gases such as skatole, indole, and sulfur-containing compounds.

    Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions 2010

  • The stinkiest compound in feces skatole has been isolated and weaponized by a retired Navy commander.

    Wednesday, December 31, 2008 As'ad 2008

  • The stinkiest compound in feces skatole has been isolated and weaponized by a retired Navy commander.

    Friday, December 12, 2008 As'ad 2008

  • Methane gas - more dangerous than any terrorist by Aimee on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2007 at 5: 40: 00 AM skatole by nelswight on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2007 at 5: 28: 04 PM

    Terror Gas in NY? 2007

  • Reply: skatole perhaps another ingredient! by nelswight (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments) on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2007 at 5: 28: 04 PM

    Terror Gas in NY? 2007

  • It often has musty and horse-stable notes, probably from the prolonged fermentation of the fruit layer skatole, cresol.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • Another important contributor to grass-fed flavor is skatole, which on its own smells like manure!

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

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