Glycerol (noun)

A colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is a byproduct of fat metabolism and is used as a sweetener, solvent, and in the manufacture of various products including soap and explosives.

Origin:

The term 'glycerol' is derived from the greek word 'glykér' which means 'sweet'. it was first isolated in 1779 by swedish chemist carl wilhelm scheele.

Examples:

1. Glycerol is a key ingredient in many cosmetic and personal care products, including creams, lotions, and shampoos.
2. Due to its high viscosity, glycerol is often used as a thickening agent in food and pharmaceutical products.
3. Glycerol is also used as a substitute for sugar or corn syrup in many sweetened products.
4. In the manufacture of soap, glycerol reacts with fatty acids to form glycerides, which are the main components of soap.
5. Glycerol is also used as a solvent in the production of nitroglycerin, a powerful explosive used in dynamite and other blasting agents.